Page 27 - BEA December 2019 - January 2020

Architect

and the government dragging its feet in paying for yourselves, do extensive feasibility studies, and
its projects. Arch. Fawaz also fingers the growing discuss with landowners and investors in order to
and worrying trend of unqualified Consultants have a breakthrough in major projects.
setting up shop and undercutting on fees,
underlining that this is eroding the gains made “The affordable housing program is an
in the growth of the architectural profession in opportunity for the stakeholders to create jobs
Kenya. and products with the right balance where
affordability comes in play, and focus on the
The quality of graduate entrants into the correct market target with reasonable promises in
market has in turn been watered down by terms of delivery.”
commercializing of degrees in the building and
Construction industry leading to too many The affordable housing programme under
half-baked undergraduates showing up for the Big 4 Agenda has so far received impressive
employment. investment overtures totaling over Sh. 3 trillion
(way above set target of Sh2 trillion), with a total
Local consultants are in turn demoralized of 800,000 houses expected to be built under the
by the opening up of the market to too many public private partnership model and 200,000 to
international Consultants and contractors that set be put up under a social scheme. This is a great
up shop in the country without clear guidelines opportunity for local consultants and contractors
protecting local market players, thereby shrinking who have been urged to put their best foot
the market space for local participation. All these forward.
bottlenecks can be tackled with goodwill and
concerted effort with the government taking the MMI has played a significant part in the
lead in terms of supportive policy formulation and growth and development of the architectural
implementation, as well as meeting its financial profession, and the building and construction
obligations for its projects. industry in Kenya in general. The firm is a
corporate member of both the Architectural
According to the architect, stakeholders in the Association of Kenya (AAK) and the Board of
industry also need to embrace change in terms Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors
of technology and association with international of Kenya (BORAQS) with some of its partners
firms in order to survive the market trends. serving as senior office bearers in the professional
bodies at various times since inception.
“Clients are looking for competitive products in
terms of design, pricing and sustainability. As MMI’s profile grows even bigger and
stronger, the invaluable skill transfer by the
International firms are setting up shop in the founders and grooming of the next generation of
country and taking up big jobs since they are able architects that has generated competence and
to deliver them at a cheap price, faster and more enthusiasm in the current team will ensure that
reliably,” says Arch. Fawaz, adding that there is MMI’s competitive capacity is maintained with
also need to be creative in terms of job creation stability and continuity, and clients will continue
where you can no longer wait for a client to come to be delighted with excellent services rivaled by
with a brief and funding but create the brief few.

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Building East Africa | December / January 2020 A
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