Nairobi will next week host one of the region’s biggest conferences focused on project management in government and the public sector, as Kenya intensifies efforts to improve delivery of infrastructure and development projects.
This comes as Kenya continues to allocate a significant share of its budget to development expenditure, with public projects accounting for about 30 to 35 per cent of national spending in recent years.
However, weak implementation systems, delays and cost overruns have continued to undermine returns from public investments.
According to industry estimates cited by the organisers, Project Management Institute Kenya Chapter, up to 40 per cent of public projects in developing economies face delays, exceed budgets or fail to achieve intended objectives due to weak project management frameworks.
The conference comes at a time when the government is increasingly relying on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to finance and implement mega projects, amid rising pressure to reduce public borrowing while ensuring value for money in development spending.
PMI Kenya Chapter will convene public sector leaders, development partners and project management professionals for the Government and Public Sector Industry Project Management Conference 2026 on May 28 in Nairobi.
The event will be held under the theme “Delivering Kenya’s Development Agenda Through Project Management” and the tagline “From Policy to Impact.”
The conference will focus on strengthening the link between policy formulation and measurable development outcomes through structured project execution and improved accountability systems.
It is expected to bring together officials from government ministries, state corporations, county governments, donor-funded programmes and private sector firms working closely with public agencies.
Discussions will focus on improving efficiency in project delivery, strengthening governance and enhancing alignment between implementation and Kenya’s long-term development priorities, including Vision 2030.
PMI Kenya Chapter president, Maureen Ochang, said the event seeks to elevate project management as a strategic tool for improving service delivery and accelerating economic transformation.
“Kenya has no shortage of strong policies and ambitious development plans. The challenge has consistently been in execution,” Ochang said.
“This conference is about equipping public sector professionals with the tools, frameworks and networks needed to translate policy into tangible, measurable impact.”
She noted that organisations using standardised project management practices waste significantly less money compared to those without structured systems, highlighting the economic benefits of professional project governance.
The conference is also expected to support the growing role of project management professionals in government institutions as countries adopt more structured approaches to planning, implementation and monitoring of development programmes.
Globally, demand for project management-oriented roles is projected to grow by 33 per cent by 2027, translating into nearly 22 million new jobs, with governments expected to account for a significant share of the expansion.
Industry experts say stronger project management frameworks could help Kenya reduce stalled projects, improve transparency in public spending and attract more private capital into infrastructure and social development programmes.
The event will feature panel discussions, technical presentations and case studies on project governance, risk management, digital transformation and performance measurement in public projects.
Analysts say improved execution of public projects will be critical in supporting Kenya’s economic growth ambitions, especially as the country pursues large-scale investments in transport, housing, energy, healthcare and digital infrastructure.
