Friday, 21 March, 2025
Senate Delegated Legislation Committee reviews proposed amendments to construction industry regulations๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐
The Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation today engaged the Ministry of Lands, Public Housing and Urban Development alongside the National Construction Authority (NCA), in a vital meeting to deliberate on the proposed National Construction Authority (Amendment) Regulations, 2024.
The session, chaired by Senator Mwenda Gataya (Tharaka Nithi) focused on the draft regulations that aim to modernize the contractor evaluation process in Kenyaโs construction sector. These proposed amendments are intended to align existing regulatory frameworks with current industry standards, qualifications and global best practices.
According to the NCA, the original contractor evaluation criteria, developed in the 2013/2014 financial year has become outdated and no longer adequately serves the dynamic needs of the construction industry. The proposed changes shift the emphasis from a document based assessment system to an experience based model. This new approach is designed to better validate the technical competencies of applicants seeking registration by requiring practical evidence of their expertise.
Additionally, the amendment regulations propose a revision of the value limits for construction projects across various sectors, ensuring these thresholds reflect the current economic and industry realities. The regulations also recommend distinguishing civil works from road and water works to account for the technical distinctions within these categories.
Furthermore, the new criteria aim to disaggregate the currently combined value limits in mechanical and electrical engineering services, offering a more detailed and accurate representation of the industryโs scope and specialization.
Senators present provided feedback and instructed the Ministry and NCA to integrate their input before finalising a comprehensive and credible document for Parliamentary consideration. The executive team was led by Public Works Principal Secretary Joel Arumonyang and NCA Board Chairperson Mercy Okiro.
Other Senators in attendance included Daniel Maanzo (Makueni), Issa Juma Boyi (Kwale), Mohamed Faki (Mombasa) and Julius Murgor (West Pokot).