Address shortage of local expertise in construction

There have been several complaints in the recent past about the domination of Chinese contractors in Kenya’s construction industry. More often than not, those pushing for the exit of Chinese contractors have used the argument that they are taking away jobs meant for Kenyans.
They say giving large infrastructure projects to the Chinese is perpetuating Kenya’s already pathetic lack of locally grown talent in this area. There is plenty of truth in this argument, but it also has several flaws.

First, fewer students are studying engineering in university due to falling standards in performances in key subjects like mathematics at secondary school level. This has had a direct impact on the number of Kenyans graduating in critical fields related to the construction sector such as architects, surveyors and construction engineers.
Second, a huge chunk of the few highly qualified Kenyans opted to take up jobs outside the country where they are in great demand and are rewarded better. This brain drain has severely decimated the local pool.