Engineers: Kenya's 40pc local content law barely hits 5pc in practice

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Newly installedInstitution of Engineers of Kenya President Harrison Keter. [David Gichuru, Standard]

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has accused the government of failing to enforce local content rules in infrastructure projects, saying implementation on the ground falls far short of what the law requires.

Newly installed IEK President Harrison Keter made the claim while speaking in Nairobi after the inauguration of the 2026-2028 IEK Council, where he called for greater participation of local engineers, contractors, consultants and manufacturers in the country's infrastructure sector.

"We just don't talk about 40 per cent local content. I know we have that in law, but how is it in practice? And I'll tell you for free that that is not the case. Probably you're talking about five per cent out of the 40 per cent," said Keter.