The Cabinet has approved a Bill proposing tougher penalties for people who obtain professional registration or licences through fraudulent means, as part of efforts to improve construction standards in Kenya.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The Architectural and Quantity Surveying Practitioners Bill, 2026, proposes a fine of up to Ksh2 million or imprisonment for up to two years for the offence.

The Bill also proposes mandatory annual practising licences for architects, quantity surveyors, landscape architects, interior designers and construction project managers.

In a dispatch on Friday, October 9, the Cabinet said the proposed law seeks to strengthen oversight of built-environment professionals and crack down on unqualified practitioners.

📌 What You Need to Know

“To strengthen building safety, Cabinet cleared the Architectural and Quantity Surveying Practitioners Bill, 2026, proposing tougher action against unqualified practitioners and penalties of up to Ksh2 million or two years in prison for false registration or licensing,” Cabinet said.

A review by Kenyans.co.ke of the Bill’s tracker found a separate proposed penalty of up to Ksh3 million for practising without a valid licence. The two penalties relate to different offences and should not be conflated.

The Bill, which is still before Parliament, seeks to replace the existing law dating back to 1934. The current law prescribes a maximum fine of Ksh5,000 for specified offences, including unlawfully using the protected titles of architect or quantity surveyor.

In February 2023, Parliament reported deliberations on a proposed amendment seeking to increase the penalty for people falsely presenting themselves as architects or quantity surveyors to Ksh1 million, with possible imprisonment for up to two years.

The proposed changes come amid concerns over building safety in Nairobi and other parts of the country.

On January 9, 2026, the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) said inspections by the National Building Inspectorate covering about 15,000 buildings in Nairobi found that only 15 per cent were safe, while roughly 8 per cent were in fair condition.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke