A coalition of Kenyan engineers and property developers is intensifying its lobby for the local assembly of elevators and escalators, citing soaring demand from the nation's vertical construction boom. The push, they argue, is a critical step towards reducing import dependency, cutting project costs, and creating skilled employment for Kenyans.

The timing is crucial. Kenya's skyline, particularly in Nairobi and other urban centres, is rapidly ascending, driven by both private development and the government's ambitious Affordable Housing Programme. This vertical growth has made elevators and escalators an indispensable part of modern infrastructure. "Developers are going vertical, and elevators are no longer optional. They are a mandatory safety component," noted Jacton Mwembe, Secretary of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK).

Slashing Costs, Building Kenya

Currently, the market is entirely reliant on imports, primarily from Asia and Europe. This exposes developers to volatile global supply chains and significant costs, which are ultimately passed on to homebuyers and tenants. An imported residential lift can cost anywhere from KES 1.5 million to over KES 5 million, before accounting for hefty import duties and taxes. "We cannot keep relying on overseas materials and external supply chains if we are to build sustainably and at scale," warned one industry expert recently. The goal, stakeholders emphasize, is to have the entire value chain—from assembly to installation and maintenance—rooted in Kenya.

Establishing local assembly plants aligns directly with the government's 'Buy Kenya, Build Kenya' initiative, which aims to boost the manufacturing sector's contribution to the GDP from its current 7.7% towards the Vision 2030 target of 15%. Proponents argue that local assembly would not only lower the price of new units but also stimulate a host of ancillary industries.

• Job Creation: Assembly plants would create direct employment for technicians and engineers, while also supporting indirect jobs in logistics, steel fabrication, and electrical component supply.
• Skills Development: A local industry would necessitate investment in technical training, upskilling the workforce to handle modern vertical transport technology.
• Reduced Capital Flight: Keeping a significant portion of the estimated KES 4.2 billion to KES 5.6 billion ($32-$43 million) spent on home lift imports alone within the Kenyan economy.

Overcoming the Hurdles

Despite the clear benefits, the path to local assembly is not without challenges. The primary obstacles identified by market analysts are the high initial capital investment required for setting up assembly facilities and the existing skills gap in specialized engineering fields. A 2023 survey by the Federation of Kenya Employers highlighted a significant demand for electrical and mechanical engineers, skills that are paramount for this sector.

However, the government already has several incentives in place that could attract investors. These include a 100% investment deduction on new machinery and buildings for manufacturers and significant tax holidays for companies operating within Export Processing Zones (EPZ). Engineers believe that with a guaranteed pipeline of demand from housing projects, these incentives could make local assembly a financially viable reality. "Industrialization is the engine that will drive our economic transformation and create employment for millions," stated IEK President Shammah Kiteme, emphasizing the engineering profession's readiness to lead the charge.

As Kenya continues to build upwards, the focus is shifting from simply acquiring technology to domesticating it. The success of this lobby could determine whether the elevators rising in Kenya's new skyscrapers are merely imported boxes or symbols of a new, self-reliant manufacturing future.