The National Construction Authority (NCA) is the government agency responsible for regulating Kenya’s construction industry, including the registration of contractors, accreditation of construction workers and site supervisors, and registration of construction projects.
NCA operates under the National Construction Authority Act, 2011, which provides the legal framework for its work and maintains regional offices across the country.
National Construction Authority traces its roots to the years after Kenya gained independence, when African contractors sought government support in an industry dominated by British and Indian firms.
In 1972, efforts to support local contractors led to the National Construction Corporation Bill.
The proposed corporation aimed to help local firms grow through training and financial support.
The National Construction Corporation (NCC) later collapsed in 1988, but the need for an oversight body for the construction industry remained.
Following pressure from industry stakeholders, Parliament passed the National Construction Authority Act in 2011.
The late former President Mwai Kibaki assented to the law on December 2, 2011, and it took effect on June 8, 2012.
The National Construction Authority Regulations were passed on June 6, 2014, setting out rules for implementing the Act.
What Is the Mandate of the National Construction Authority?
The NCA’s mandate is to regulate Kenya’s construction industry and support the development of standards, skills, and practices that improve the quality of construction work.
One of its core responsibilities is the registration of contractors. Under Section 5(2)(k) of the National Construction Authority Act, the authority can accredit and register contractors and regulate their professional undertakings.
The authority maintains a contractor register containing information about construction firms, including the classes of work and categories in which they are registered. The NCA’s executive director also serves as the registrar of contractors.
The authority is further mandated to accredit and certify skilled construction workers and site supervisors. This process aims to confirm whether individuals working in different construction trades have the required training, qualifications, or experience.
Workers and site supervisors with technical training certificates, trade tests from the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), or competency-based assessments from accredited training institutions can apply for accreditation.
Those without technical certificates or trade tests but with at least two years of documented experience can apply for provisional accreditation. Individuals without the required qualifications or experience may apply for apprenticeship.
Construction Project Registration
The NCA also registers construction projects to improve planning, record-keeping, and quality assurance in the industry.
Maintaining a project register helps the authority build a record of construction activity and supports more systematic monitoring of the sector.
Contractors must also renew their practising licences annually. According to the authority, the licences expire on June 30 each year.
Research and Development
Research is another part of the NCA’s mandate. The authority can undertake or commission studies on matters relating to the construction industry.
Its research activities have included surveys on the availability of professionals in the sector and the mapping of technical training institutions.
The authority has also published the National Construction Research Agenda Report 2014–2017 and organises the International Construction Research Exhibition and Conference (ICoRCE) every two years. The conference brings together construction industry experts to discuss research and business development.
National Construction Authority Locations in Kenya
The NCA lists 14 regional offices across Kenya, plus services offered through Huduma Centres nationwide.
The regional offices are located in Nairobi, Isiolo, Embu, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Mombasa, Kitui, Kiambu, Nyeri, Garissa, Kisii, Kajiado and Kakamega.
The offices serve different parts of the country, providing contractors and other construction industry stakeholders access to the authority’s services.
List of NCA Regional Offices
| Regional office | Location |
|---|---|
| Nairobi Regional Office | Nairobi |
| Upper Eastern Regional Office | Isiolo |
| Central Eastern Regional Office | Embu |
| Central Nyanza Regional Office | Kisumu |
| Central Rift Regional Office | Nakuru |
| North Rift Regional Office | Eldoret |
| Coast Regional Office | Mombasa |
| Lower Eastern Regional Office | Kitui |
| Kiambu Regional Office | Kiambu |
| Mt. Kenya Regional Office | Nyeri |
| North Eastern Regional Office | Garissa |
| South Nyanza Regional Office | Kisii |
| Kajiado Regional Office | Kajiado |
| Western Regional Office | Kakamega |
Kenyans can also access NCA services through Huduma Centres countrywide. Those seeking services should confirm the relevant office’s address and operating arrangements through the authority’s official channels before visiting.
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Who Leads the National Construction Authority Board?
Mercy Okiro, FCIArb – Chairperson of the Board
Mercy Okiro is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with more than 10 years of post-admission experience and expertise in arbitration, mediation and dispute resolution. She holds a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Laws in International Commercial and Investment Arbitration from Queen Mary University of London.
Okiro is an accredited tutor, assessor and mediator with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Kenya School of Law and Strathmore University.
She has held leadership positions in several legal and professional organisations, including the Kenya Private Sector Alliance Gender Sector Board, and has received recognition for her contributions to arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. She currently chairs the National Construction Authority board.
Arch. Nicholas Tirop Koech – Vice Chairperson of the Board
Nicholas Tirop Koech is a registered architect with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Nairobi. He is the principal architect and managing director of House of Architecture in Eldoret, having previously worked at Studio Partners Nairobi and Archgrid Systems.
Koech has also served as a resident architect and head of the infrastructure department at Koitaleel Samoei University College. He sits on the boards of Ziwa Technical Training Institute and Kosirai Girls High School and is a member of the Architectural Association of Kenya.
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Other Members of the National Construction Authority Board
The board includes representatives from professional associations, construction industry organisations and government departments.
Arch. Florence Nyole represents the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), while Kalpesh Hirani represents the Kenya Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors. Peter Musango represents the Roads and Civil Engineering Contractors Association.
Eng. Catherine Wanjiku Munyi represents the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, while Ivy Kimani represents the Kenya Federation of Master Builders. Qs. Mutinda Mutuku represents the Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (IQSK), and Eng. Godana Hargura represents special interests in the construction sector.
The government representatives include John Osero Mokomoni, an alternate to the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Devolution; Qs. Rose Jematya Kotut, an alternate to the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Public Works; and Qs. Cassius Kusienya, MBS, an alternate to the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Housing and Urban Development.
Eng. Gilbert Mongare Arasa, OGW, RCE, FIEK, is an alternate to the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Roads, while Josephine Kanyi is an alternate to the Principal Secretary in the National Treasury and Economic Planning.
Qs. Susan Rutto serves as the acting executive director and secretary to the board. She oversees the authority’s day-to-day operations, implements its regulatory responsibilities, and serves as registrar of contractors.
National Construction Authority Senior Management
Quantity Surveyor Susan Rutto is serving as the acting executive director and registrar of contractors at the National Construction Authority.
She assumed the acting position on September 4, 2026, following the end of former executive director Eng. Maurice Otieno Akech’s final term in August 2026.
Rutto heads the authority’s day-to-day operations and oversees the implementation of its regulatory responsibilities, including contractor registration.
The senior management team includes CPA James Kilonzi, the general manager for corporate services, and Dr Chrispus S. Ndinyo, who heads construction research, business development and capacity building.
Other members of the management team include Paul Gesora, manager of quality assurance and planning; Christine Kirimi, manager of finance; CHRP Paul Kariuki, manager of human resources; and CHRP Daniel Kemei, manager of administration.
Eng. Raymond Karani heads registration, while CPA Anthony Ochieng leads internal audit. Dr Vincensia Apopa manages supply chain, Wangui Kabala heads corporate communications, and Arch. Stephen Mwilu oversees compliance.
The team also includes Samson Lukoba, corporate secretary and head of legal; Arch. Juliet Kabere, manager of training and capacity building; and Dr Eng. Meshack O. Otieno, who heads construction research and business development.
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