NAIROBI, Kenya- Architectural and quantity surveying practitioners who use false registration or licences could face fines of up to Sh2 million or two years in prison under a proposed law approved by Cabinet.
The Architectural and Quantity Surveying Practitioners Bill, 2026, would replace a law dating back to 1934, introduce annual practising licences and give a new regulatory board powers to inspect construction sites.
It would also extend regulation to landscape architects, interior designers and construction project managers.
The Bill is among several measures Cabinet approved or endorsed at a meeting at State House on Friday, covering energy, transport, healthcare, public debt, education, insurance and the environment.
The proposals will require further steps, including parliamentary approval where legislation is involved.
Sh2.47 trillion energy plan
Cabinet adopted the Kenya National Energy Compact, which aims to mobilise about Sh2.47 trillion in investment and connect 5.1 million additional households to electricity by 2030.
A separate Sh1.1 billion electric cooking programme will support the distribution of 100,000 appliances in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado counties.
The government says the programme will promote cleaner cooking and reduce household exposure to harmful smoke.
Three road corridors cleared
Cabinet approved the advancement of three strategic road corridors under the Roads for Rural Economic Development Programme.
Together, they cover about 900 kilometres: the 253-kilometre South Rift–Lake Region Gateway Corridor, the 256-kilometre Great Highlands Connectivity Corridor and the approximately 400-kilometre Lake Victoria Ring Road.
The routes are intended to connect farming areas, fishing communities and trading centres to wider markets.
The government also approved an additional Sh12.83 billion to complete Thwake Multipurpose Dam.
The dam is expected to provide 150,000 cubic metres of water daily to about 1.3 million people in Makueni and Kitui, including residents of Wote and surrounding areas, as well as Konza Technopolis.
The project is also expected to support irrigation and future hydropower generation.
Hospital expansion and pending bills
The Cabinet-endorsed hospital programme includes a new 2,000-bed Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, a 1,000-bed Level Six hospital in Mombasa and an additional 300 beds at each of 13 Level Five hospitals.
The targeted counties are Mandera, Marsabit, Turkana, Kilifi, Embu, Nakuru, Laikipia, Migori, Nyamira, Baringo, Bomet, Narok and Kisii.
A separate Sh8 billion programme with France will establish specialised head and neck surgical units at Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and the University of Nairobi Dental Hospital.
It will also train 5,000 community health workers.
Cabinet also approved payment of Sh23.74 billion to settle 28,726 verified government bills of Sh50 million and below.
The claims represent 98 per cent of the 29,257 bills recommended for settlement. Some suppliers and contractors have reportedly waited for payment since 2005.
The Pending Bills Verification Committee reviewed 115,617 claims worth Sh664.8 billion.
It recommended 29,257 claims valued at Sh155.34 billion for settlement. Verified bills above Sh50 million will be paid progressively, according to the Cabinet statement.
Kenya Airways financing and education reforms
Cabinet approved Sh45.3 billion in shareholder financing for Kenya Airways to meet urgent obligations, including aircraft maintenance and the return of grounded planes to service.
The funds will be disbursed in tranches under National Treasury oversight, with repayment of up to 10 years and a possible conversion into equity, subject to approvals.
It also endorsed converting Sh122 billion in existing government loans, plus accrued interest, into an equity-qualifying tradable instrument to strengthen the airline’s balance sheet.
Both measures remain subject to corporate, shareholder and regulatory approvals.
In education, Cabinet adopted a Sessional Paper on Transforming Education, Training and Research.
The proposed reforms include strengthening Competency-Based Education, addressing teacher shortages, expanding technical and vocational training and aligning education more closely with labour-market needs.
Insurance, agriculture and prisons
Cabinet adopted the National Insurance Policy, 2026, which aims to make insurance more accessible, particularly for farmers, informal sector workers and small businesses.
The policy proposes stronger consumer protection and oversight, measures to combat insurance fraud and expanded digital insurance services.
The Cabinet statement put insurance penetration at 2.45 per cent.
Cabinet also approved the Geographical Indications Bill, 2026, which is intended to protect distinctive Kenyan products from imitation, and the Warehouse Receipt System (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The latter would support certified storage and allow farmers to use stored produce as collateral for credit.
The Prisons Bill, 2026, and Probation of Offenders Bill, 2026, were endorsed for an overhaul of correctional services.
The proposed laws aim to safeguard prisoners’ rights, address overcrowding, strengthen rehabilitation and expand alternatives to imprisonment for eligible offenders.
Climate action and other decisions
Cabinet reviewed plans for Mazingira Day, marked on October 10.
A Green Challenge aims to mobilise 200,000 people to plant six million trees in one hour, as part of the national target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032.
Cabinet also considered restoring 462,299 hectares of degraded land and approved additional financing for the locally led climate action programme across all 47 counties.
Other decisions included measures to simplify business licensing, support the establishment of a European Bank for Reconstruction and Development office in Nairobi, and pursue double taxation agreements with Belgium and the Czech Republic.
Cabinet also endorsed space cooperation with South Africa and Kazakhstan.
The government said it had strengthened surveillance, screening, contact tracing and health facility readiness after the imported Ebola case in Kenya.
The patient has since died, and the Cabinet statement said the case remained isolated.
