The Government has been called upon to ensure it pays local construction firms on time to ensure they remain afloat and succeed.
The Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (IQSK) said lack of finances to local firms, coupled with delays in payments after undertaking government jobs is killing the local construction sector.
Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi, IQSK President James Munene Gitonga said local contractors have the skills and capacity to undertake mega projects.
He was accompanied by Jenifer Musyimi the Vice President and Wilson Kipkoech the Secretary General.
He urged both the National and County governments to honor contractual terms.
IQSK secretary General Wilson Kipkoech called on the Government to fund the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company so that it can lend to contractors.
Musyimi the Vice President said foreign companies were required to subcontract 30 percent of the project value to local persons or firms.
They were also required to transfer technical skills not available locally to construction firms following NCA guidelines.
However, she said that according to a survey done by the Competition Authority of Kenya on the construction Industry, this was not being adhered to.
“Local sub- contractors are usually contracted for work sections they are already familiar with; hence they do not quite benefit from the skills transfer as intended. This has not changed much to the benefit of local contractors,” she said.
The President said IQSK is considering lodging a formal complaint over the same.
However, IQSK said what is required is sustainable projects to necessitate active involvement of contractors.
He added that such developments would be forced to improve their capacity.
“Unregulated participation of such contractors may prove detrimental in the long run. Consequently, we are calling on the government to strongly consider putting in place measures to ensure that in as much as we are allowing foreign players to practice in the local scene, we are doing so in a manner that benefits the local construction industry and local practitioners as well, “he said.
IQSK said such measures should be developed in consultation and collaboration with local practitioners.
In his statement, Munene added that given the increased developments in infrastructure that are underway in Kenya, stakeholders of these projects should engage Quantity surveyors.
The organization also urged members to participate in the drafting and formulation of any legislation that may relate to the same.