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12 | NEWSFOCUS October 2, 2018 www.mygov.go.ke Why project oversight is key to aff ordable housing 1.85m play a signifi cant role in the abandonment of projects and in project failure in Kenya that this strategic plan would boost the delivery of aff ordable housing. Last year, audit fi rm Deloitte BY LYDIA SHIROYA KNA – KIAMBU P ublic projects in Kenya stretch long past the set project periods and budgets due to oversights in the role of competent project management, Housing Secretary Patrick Bucha has said. “The number of major capital projects that are over budget, late or both, in Kenya is alarming. Cost and time overruns are the major culprits of project abandonment and failure in Kenya but we do not seem to be doing enough to change the tide. Infusing strategic, transparent, accountable and well thought out processes into any project sets it up for success,” said Mr Bucha. The Secretary was speaking during the launch of the Project Management Institute (PMI) Kenya chapter strategic plan at Radisson Blu Hotel, which seeks to infl uence the legislation of project management in the laws of Kenya by engaging eff ectively with other project management stakeholders. He noted raised the red flag over the number of major public and private infrastructure projects that are delayed and lead to cost overruns owing to ineffective management. The Africa Construction Cost Trends Report highlighted cost and time overruns as playing a signifi cant role in the abandonment of projects and in project failure in Kenya. “Approximately 48% of projects report a cost overrun and 87% of projects have a time overrun. Th is is largely attributed to inadequate initial contract periods that do not consider all factors resulting in time delays,” said the report. Formed in 1969, the Project Management Institute is the leading global organisation for project management professionals, with more than 283 chartered Chapters from 207 countries. Th e Kenyan chapter of PMI was registered in Kenya under Section 10 of the Societies Act in 2012 and was chartered by PMI in 2014. With over 350 members, the PMI-Kenya Chapter has grown to become one of the largest chapters in Africa. PMI Kenya’s strategic plan clarifi es and widens the mandate to include advocacy for the enactment of legislation and education curricula regarding planning and management of large capital projects in the country. Th e operationalisation of the straCumulative backlog of housing units, resulting from a deficit of about 200,000 housing units per year f success. We have found that most times, when stakeholders have a clear understanding of the problem around a project, and are consulted and involved, the cost of the intervention tends to come down tremendously,” said Kitetu. During President Uhuru tegic plan will help the country embrace project management best practices and principles that will help reduce project costs and schedule overruns and enable organisations do more with less by ensuring accountability throughout the lifetime of a project and connecting the right people to the right projects. PMI Kenya president Clement Kitetu said the institute intends to infl uence the fasttracking of the enactment of a bill to establish the legal and regulatory framework for the Project Management profession in Kenya. Th is will make project management a national competence in Kenya. “Th e single most important thing should be to help stakeholders understand the “why” behind the project for them to champion and propel it to PS stresses role of ICT as Big Four plan enabler Ministry will partner with players in the private sector to fi nd the best solutions, says Ochieng Agenda as it plays a critical role in Kenya’s socio-economic development. He said the ministry will BY DAVID MUKARA PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS, ICT P rincipal Secretary in the state Department of ICT Mr Jerome Ochieng has re-emphasized the role of ICT as an enabler of the Big Four partner with ICT players in the private sector to fi nd the best solutions to implement the Big Four and develop policies and laws to create enabling environment for the industry players to operate in. He was speaking last week at a Nairobi hotel during the launch of Huawei’s Kenya’s sustainability report. He also flagged off nine students to the Peoples’ Republic of China. The students are this year’s benefi ciaries of Seeds of the future programme. He thanked Huawei for their continued partnership in programmes such as the Presidential Digital Talent Programme (PDTP) and National Optic Fibre Backbone (NOFBI) implemented through the ICT Authority. The PS also congratulated the President for his endorsement as the United Nation’s Young People Agenda Global Champion. “Clearly, that is an indication that the world has seen what His Excellency the PresPrincipal Secretary for ICT Jerome Ochieng congratulates Eunea Bosire, one of the 9 Students who will study in China courtesy of Huawei Kenya. Looking on (centre) is the chargé d’affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya Li Xuhang. ident has done for the youth. From us, you are all aware of the Presidential Digital Talent Programme which focuses on the youth,” he said. ICT Authority’s director of partnerships Eunice Kariuki lauded Huawei for the value placed on sustainability and cited the long partnership, both commercial and non-commercial, between the company and Ministry through ICT Authority. Kenyatta’s second inauguration at Kasarani Stadium, notably aff ordable housing was outlined as one of the Big Four development agenda that aims to cement his legacy by 2022. Th e simple defi nition of the statement of aff ordable housing was being able to acquire a decent and aff ordable house with the same amount of rent that you are currently paying through a given period of time. Th is ambitious and auspicious housing agenda will be spearheaded by the Department for Housing and Urban Development that has been mandated alongside line govInfusing strategic, transparent, accountable and well thought out processes into any project sets it up for success - Housing Secretary Patrick Bucha Housing Secretary Patrick Bucha (left) during the launch of Project Management Institute’s first strategic plan for Kenya. With him is PMI Kenya president Clement Kitetu. ernment agencies and ministries to draw the roadmap for the development of 500,000 housing units. “This calls for change in how projects are implemented given that Kenya, like any other developing country, continues to grapple with housing defi cit especially in low- and middle-income brackets,” said Bucha. According to World Bank report of 2016, the demand for housing units in urban areas is estimated at 250,000 units against an estimated supply of 50,000 housing units annually. Th is means that there is a defi cit of about 200,000 housing units per year and a cumulative backlog of 1.85 million housing units. Article 43 (1) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya emphasizes the right of every Kenyan to accessible and adequate housing and reasonable standards of sanitation. Under this agenda, the aff ordable housing pillar is a huge opportunity for Kenya to provide decent and aff ordable housing, stimulate economic growth, spur industrial growth, and create employment while uplifting the standards of the low income and vulnerable groups from the vicious cycle of poverty. She particularly cited the Digital skills for life, another programme that focuses on youth who were not fortunate to join university. It has already been piloted and plans are under way to proceed to phase one of implementation. Also present during the event were ICT Authority CEO Mr John Sergon, Huawei Kenya CEO Mr Stone He and acting Chinese Ambassador Mr. Li Xuhang. ICT Authority CEO Mr John Sergon called upon exhibitors and citizens to turn up in large numbers during the Connected Summit, which takes place at Bomas of Kenya next month. Acting Chinese ambassador to Kenya praised the country for ICT related innovations such as mobile money transfer Mpesa which he equated to China’s Alipay owned by ecommerce giant, Alibaba. Cost and time overruns

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