The State Department for Roads is supporting efforts to strengthen the regulation of Kenya’s engineering technology sector as the country accelerates infrastructure development, industrialisation and technological innovation.

Represented by the Department’s Secretary Administration Mr. Evans Mutari, the Principal Secretary (PS), Eng. Joseph M. Mbugua, during a virtual Stakeholders’ Validation Forum on the Draft Engineering Technology (Registration, Licensing and Compliance) Rules, 2026, underscored the vital role of engineering technologists and technicians in the design, implementation, operation and maintenance of infrastructure, transport networks, manufacturing systems, and energy solutions.

Hosted by the Roads Agency Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board (KETRB), in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Technical Committee, the forum brought together representatives from Government institutions, industry, development partners, academia, training institutions and professional bodies to review the Draft Rules and the accompanying Regulatory Impact Statement.

The PS emphasised the importance of a robust regulatory framework that promotes competence, professionalism, accountability and public safety, while creating an enabling environment for practitioners, industry and training institutions to contribute meaningfully to national development.

He called on stakeholders to engage openly and constructively with the proposed framework, identify areas requiring clarification or refinement, and flag potential implementation challenges.

According to PS Mbugua, stakeholders’ input will inform the finalization of the rules and contribute to establishing a framework that is clear, practical, proportionate, enforceable, and responsive to emerging technologies and evolving industry practices.

Earlier, the Department explored alternative financing mechanisms to safeguard Kenya’s road infrastructure as the national transition toward electric vehicles threatens to erode traditional fuel levy revenues.

The PS, represented by Secretary Mutari, during a stakeholder validation workshop in Nairobi, warned that the rapid adoption of clean transport could severely impact long-term road maintenance funding.

Hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI) Africa, the workshop was to assess the study on the impact of vehicle electrification on the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF).

PS Mbugua highlighted the delicate balance between environmental progress and sustainable infrastructure financing.

While Kenya’s National E-Mobility Policy has successfully driven the adoption of electric public buses, two-wheelers, and three-wheeler, this shift away from internal combustion engines directly reduces fuel consumption, the primary driver of the RMLF,” noted Mbugua.

Further, he observed that as the fleet continues to transition to zero-emission vehicles, the long-term erosion of the conventional fund will inevitably compound an already critical maintenance backlog.

Addressing the delegates, the PS through his Secretary of Administration urged participants to rigorously interrogate the consultant’s baseline assessments and scenario forecasts.

He called on stakeholders to test methodologies, challenge assumptions around fleet growth and fuel trends, and leverage institutional experience to establish a solid evidence base.

“The ultimate goal of the State Department is to formulate proactive policy frameworks that support a thriving electric mobility ecosystem while ensuring Kenya’s roads remain reliably funded and maintained,” established the PS.

Meanwhile, present during the stakeholder validation workshop were key officials from key government agencies such as the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Mechanical and Transport Directorate (MTD), Kenya Roads Board (KRB), Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA), The Materials Testing and Research Directorate (MTRD), The World Bank Group, GIZ, and the academia.

by Michael Omondi