Mombasa: The government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the adoption of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) to improve traffic management, road safety, and operational monitoring across the country. Speaking in Mombasa during the inaugural international research conference organised by the Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology (KIHBT), Principal Secretary for Roads Eng. Joseph Mbugua said the government has embraced digital transformation to enhance efficiency in the transport sector.
According to Kenya News Agency, the PS cited digitised weighbridge operations, which he said have strengthened axle-load enforcement and helped protect road infrastructure that the government has heavily invested in. He highlighted that materials testing and research systems have been upgraded, improving accuracy and traceability in quality assurance.
The PS emphasized the importance of collaboration in the digital era, stating that research, innovation, and well-trained stakeholders are essential f
or the future. He pointed out that Africa’s young population and rapid urbanization present an opportunity to shape a sustainable transport future.
Countries that industrialized earlier are now spending enormous sums retrofitting climate resilience into old infrastructure. He stressed the importance of not repeating that mistake, mentioning the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport’s focus on transport as a central aspect of global development.
PS Mbugua also highlighted initiatives by several African countries towards cleaner and sustainable transport systems, such as Ethiopia’s ban on non-electric vehicles, Rwanda’s duty exemptions for cleaner vehicles, and Dakar’s electric Bus Rapid Transit system. He noted Kenya’s potential to leverage this moment if infrastructure ambitions are matched with investments in skilled workforce development.
He further disclosed that Kenya’s push toward industrialization is being slowed by weak infrastructure and skills gaps, which could lead to economic growth that does not g
enerate enough jobs or expand manufacturing. The PS urged educational institutions to integrate emerging technologies into engineering curricula and praised KIHBT for its role in capacity building and policy shaping through research.
The country’s infrastructure and transport systems face challenges such as road safety concerns, drainage failures, and the effects of climate change, necessitating research-based responses. Engineers were challenged to rethink standards and mitigation measures in light of new climate realities.
PS for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Dr. Esther Muoria, highlighted the need for skilled manpower in the country’s development programmes and affirmed the State Department for TVET’s commitment to a training system focused on competence and practical outcomes. She called for stronger collaboration between training institutions, industry, and government agencies to enhance skills and productivity.
KIHBT Director Arch. Geoffrey Githiri noted the institution’s transform
ation into a regional centre of excellence, supported by the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project. He explained that KIHBT has integrated sustainability into its curricula by embedding low-carbon construction practices and climate-adaptive designs across its programmes.
