‘LET US LEGISLATE FOR TOMORROW’: PROFESSIONALS REJECT PRACTITIONERS BILL

By Michael Nyamai -

NAIROBI, KENYA, AUGUST 24, 2026 — 

The Interior Designers Association of Kenya (IDAK), Association of Construction Managers of Kenya (ACMK) and The Architects Alliance have rejected the Architectural and Quantity Surveying Practitioners Bill, 2026, warning that the proposed regulatory framework could undermine professional autonomy and create conflicts within Kenya’s built environment sector.

Association of Construction Managers of Kenya (ACMK) President Ephraim Kakui (centre) with representatives of the Interior Designers Association of Kenya (IDAK) and The Architects Alliance during a joint briefing in Nairobi: Photo courtesy.

The associations, speaking during a joint media briefing in Nairobi led by Ephraim Kakui, President of the Association of Construction Managers of Kenya (ACMK), said they are not opposed to regulation but want legislation that properly recognises the distinct roles and competencies of different built-environment professions.

“We are not opposing regulation. We are demanding better regulation,” the associations said.

According to the professionals, the Bill seeks to regulate architects, quantity surveyors, interior designers, landscape architects, construction project managers and technicians through a single Board, despite the professions having different bodies of knowledge, education systems, competencies, scopes of practice and professional responsibilities.

They argued that placing the different professions under one regulatory structure risks creating professional conflicts and weakening effective self-regulation.

“Our concern is simple: one profession should not effectively regulate another profession,” the statement reads.

The associations further warned that representation by a single member on a broad regulatory Board does not amount to meaningful professional self-regulation.

They raised concerns over provisions dealing with scope of practice, professional fees, education standards, examinations, licensing and discipline, arguing that these critical areas require specialist regulatory structures capable of reflecting the unique needs of each profession.

The groups said the proposed framework could result in “professional conflict, duplication, uncertainty and weakened public protection.”

CALL FOR BILL TO BE SUSPENDED

The professionals are now calling on Parliament to suspend consideration of the Bill in its current form and undertake a broader stakeholder engagement process before proceeding with the legislation.

They want Parliament to review previous research and policy proposals on the regulation of built-environment professions, including work undertaken through the Coalition of Built Environment Professionals and research associated with Professor Alfred Omenya.

The associations are also demanding clearly defined scopes of practice and professional responsibilities, as well as the development of a comprehensive Built Environment Professions framework with profession-specific regulatory structures.

The groups further called for the immediate resignation of the Chair of the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works, Hon. Joseph K. TanuI, citing an alleged conflict of interest because he is also the sponsor of the Bill.

The associations insisted that their position should not be interpreted as a fight between professions.

“This is not a fight between professions. It is about getting regulation right,” they said.

They argued that Kenya needs a regulatory framework based on coordination, professional independence and accountability rather than what they described as a professional hierarchy.

“Kenya needs coordinated regulation, professional autonomy, clear accountability and public protection — not professional hierarchy,” the statement said.

The professionals are urging Parliament to take a broader approach before passing the legislation, warning that the country needs laws that reflect the rapidly changing construction and built environment sector.

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