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| Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja |
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration is facing mounting criticism after the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) accused county officials of entrenched corruption and inefficiency in the development approval process.
In a statement issued on Saturday, April 26, IEK expressed frustration over growing challenges faced by engineers in submitting and securing approvals for development plans in Nairobi.
The institution reported that some members experienced deliberate delays or rejections of their plans unless they paid bribes to fast-track approvals.
“Such practices erode public trust and jeopardize the safety and integrity of the approval process,” IEK said.
It warned that corruption not only slows urban development but also compromises public safety through substandard infrastructure.
IEK further criticized the Nairobi Planning and Development Management System (NPDMS), an online platform that was introduced to simplify approvals.
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| Ariel view of Nairobi City |
Instead of easing the process, IEK alleged that the system had been purposely crippled, thus forcing applicants into desperate situations that encourage bribery.
According to the institution, many applications remain unattended unless engineers make physical visits to county offices to follow up, undermining the very purpose of a digitized system.
“Engineers have a professional duty to uphold public safety, guided by ethical standards and technical rigor. However, when county systems are compromised, engineers are unable to execute their mandate effectively,” IEK noted.
The institution called on the Ministry of Lands to intervene and audit the development approval processes in Nairobi.
Consequently, it urged the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate and prosecute officials involved in corruption or maladministration.
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