Kenya launches Construction Cost Handbook to provide insights into the cost of construction projects

The State Department for Public Works, the Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (IQSK), the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, and the National Housing Corporation have jointly launched the Construction Cost Handbook in Kenya.

This handbook aims to provide valuable insights into the cost of construction projects in the country.

Speaking during the Launch Public Works Principal Secretary (PS) Joel Arumonyang emphasized the benefits of digital transformation in the construction industry.

The PS highlighted that adopting digital technologies can reduce overall costs, minimize human errors, improve time efficiency, eliminate repeated work, facilitate easy verification of calculations, and enhance collaboration among stakeholders.

“Digital Transformation in the Built Environment is not only timely, but also appropriate in view of the current situation in the construction industry, where the use of technology is inevitable in the country and globally and improves the project’s clarity as it tracks how information is shared among the various stakeholders involved in the project,” PS Joel Arumonyang Said

By embracing digital transformation, construction projects can benefit from tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, drones, and data analytics. BIM, for example, allows for the creation of a digital representation of a building or infrastructure project, improving collaboration among stakeholders and enabling potential issues to be identified before construction begins.

The PS also emphasized the importance of embracing and adapting to the changes brought about by digital transformation in the industry. By doing so, stakeholders can increase efficiency, maintain a competitive advantage, and enhance profitability in the construction sector.

The Construction Cost Handbook and the promotion of digital transformation in the industry demonstrate a commitment to improving construction practices, cost management, and collaboration among stakeholders in Kenya.

Ezra Chiloba, the Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya, expressed their partnership with the Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (IQSK) to ensure sufficient connectivity between them. Chiloba noted that the theme of IQSK, “Digital Transformation in the Built Environment,” aligns with the government’s goal of transforming Kenya into a newly industrializing, middle-income country with a high quality of life for all citizens by 2030, within a clean and secure environment.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by Leo Boruette, the Communication Director of Multimedia Services, the Director General highlighted the value placed on increased connectivity by granting licenses to operators. The Communications Authority of Kenya regulates these operators and develops guidelines for ICT infrastructure to ensure compliance.

Chiloba further emphasized that ICT has brought energy efficiency to the building environment through advanced technology. The use of smart devices enables efficient occupancy in offices, requiring less space, and facilitates faster maintenance.

The collaboration between the Communications Authority of Kenya and IQSK aims to leverage ICT to enhance connectivity, promote digital transformation, and improve energy efficiency in the construction industry and the built environment as a whole.