Civil Engineer — Roads
Kenya National Highways Authority
Quick Take
Design road infrastructure, supervise construction contractors on-site, and ensure national highway projects are delivered to specification and environmental standards.
BSc Civil Engineering with EBK registration, 2+ years in road design or construction supervision, and proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D.
A competitive KES 100K–160K salary, high-impact work on Kenya's national road network, and the stability of a major government infrastructure authority.
Job Description
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is responsible for the development, rehabilitation, and maintenance of over 11,000 kilometres of national roads across Kenya. As the agency continues to expand and upgrade the country's road infrastructure, it is seeking talented and motivated Civil Engineers to join its technical team in Nairobi.
Successful candidates will play a hands-on role in both the design and on-site supervision of major road infrastructure projects, working closely with contractors, government agencies, and local communities to ensure projects are delivered to the highest technical and regulatory standards.
- Develop detailed engineering designs and compile tender documentation for road construction and rehabilitation projects
- Oversee and supervise the activities of construction contractors, ensuring all work is carried out in strict accordance with approved specifications and standards
- Carry out regular site inspections and produce comprehensive progress reports for management and stakeholders
- Coordinate and engage with county governments, utility providers, and affected communities throughout the project implementation cycle
- Monitor and enforce compliance with environmental and social safeguard requirements on all assigned projects
- A Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering is a mandatory requirement for this role
- Must hold current registration with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) as either a Registered Engineer or Graduate Engineer
- A minimum of two years of hands-on experience in road design or construction supervision is required
- Demonstrated proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D for engineering design and drafting work
- Sound working knowledge of the Kenya Roads Design Manual and its practical application on road projects
This position is best suited to a results-driven civil engineering professional who has a solid grounding in road infrastructure design and construction. You should be comfortable working both in an office design environment and on active construction sites, and be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders including government officials, contractors, and community representatives. Candidates who are detail-oriented, committed to quality, and passionate about advancing Kenya's national road network are strongly encouraged to apply. Both registered engineers and graduate engineers in good standing with EBK are welcome to submit their applications.
Interested and qualified candidates should apply for the Civil Engineer — Roads position at the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), based in Nairobi. Please ensure your application includes an up-to-date curriculum vitae detailing your educational background, EBK registration status, and relevant work experience. Submit your application through KeNHA's official recruitment channel and ensure all required documents are included before the stated deadline.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- BSc Civil Engineering degree
- Registered Engineer with Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) or Graduate Engineer status
- Minimum 2 years experience in road design or construction supervision
- Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Knowledge of the Kenya Roads Design Manual
Nice to Have
- Experience liaising with county governments or utility agencies
- Familiarity with environmental and social safeguard frameworks (e.g. NEMA requirements)
- Experience preparing tender documents for public infrastructure projects
- Knowledge of FIDIC contract conditions commonly used in Kenyan road projects
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Salary Context
Competitive to above-market salary for a Civil Engineer — Roads in Nairobi
Civil Engineers in Kenya typically earn KES 60,000–120,000/month at mid-level, making the upper end of this range (KES 160,000) above average for 2–5 years of experience. Pay in this field is influenced by EBK registration status, the size of projects managed, and whether the employer is public-sector, donor-funded, or private.
About Kenya National Highways Authority
Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is the state agency responsible for the development, rehabilitation, and maintenance of over 11,000 kilometres of Kenya's national road network — the arteries that connect Nairobi to every major economic corridor in East Africa. As one of the country's most consequential infrastructure bodies, KeNHA manages multi-billion-shilling projects often funded in partnership with the World Bank, African Development Bank, and the Kenyan government. Working at KeNHA offers engineers rare exposure to large-scale, nationally significant projects with long-term career credibility in the East African infrastructure space.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Walk us through a road design project you have worked on — what software and design standards did you use, and what were the key engineering challenges?
- 2
How have you handled a situation where a contractor on-site deviated from approved specifications? What steps did you take?
- 3
What is your understanding of the Kenya Roads Design Manual, and can you give an example of how you have applied it in practice?
- 4
Describe your experience coordinating with external stakeholders such as county governments, utilities, or affected communities during project implementation.
- 5
How do you ensure environmental and social safeguard compliance on a road construction site, particularly in areas with sensitive land use or community concerns?
Application Tips
Highlight specific road projects in your CV — include the road class, length, contract value if known, and your exact role (designer, resident engineer, site supervisor) to demonstrate direct relevance.
Prominently feature your EBK registration number or Graduate Engineer status in both your CV header and cover letter, as this is a non-negotiable requirement and signals credibility immediately.
Mention any experience with donor-funded projects (World Bank, AfDB, EU) as KeNHA manages many such programmes — familiarity with their safeguard and reporting requirements will set you apart from other candidates.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Transparent salary band (KES 100,000–160,000) gives candidates clear expectations and signals organisational confidence — uncommon in many Kenyan public-sector postings.
- KeNHA is a credible, well-established government agency, offering job security, access to large-scale projects, and a recognised name on any engineering CV.
- The role spans both design and supervision, providing broad technical exposure that accelerates professional development toward full EBK registration.
- Involvement in stakeholder engagement, environmental compliance, and tender preparation offers cross-functional skills beyond pure engineering, valuable for career progression into project management.
Watch Out
- The posting does not specify whether the role involves field postings outside Nairobi — road supervision roles at KeNHA frequently require extended upcountry deployments, which candidates should clarify before accepting an offer.
- No mention of benefits, allowances, or contract terms (permanent vs. contract) — important details for a public-sector role where terms can vary significantly between substantive and project-based positions.
A Day in the Life
A typical week might begin with a site inspection along an active road construction corridor — reviewing contractor progress, checking compaction tests, and flagging non-conformances in your site diary. Mid-week you could be back in the Nairobi office working in AutoCAD Civil 3D on geometric alignment drawings or updating a progress report for a donor review meeting. By Friday you may be in a coordination meeting with a county government official over a utility relocation that is holding up a drainage works package — balancing technical, contractual, and community considerations all in one conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to apply for the Civil Engineer — Roads role at Kenya National Highways Authority?
You need a BSc in Civil Engineering, registration with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) as a Registered or Graduate Engineer, and at least 2 years of experience in road design or construction supervision. Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and knowledge of the Kenya Roads Design Manual are also required.
Is the Civil Engineer — Roads position at KeNHA based in Nairobi or does it require travel?
The role is listed as Nairobi-based, but road supervision roles at KeNHA typically involve regular site visits and potentially extended deployments to project sites across the country — candidates should confirm the extent of upcountry travel during the interview process.
How much does a Civil Engineer — Roads earn at Kenya National Highways Authority?
The posted salary range is KES 100,000–160,000 per month, which is competitive and above the typical mid-level civil engineering salary in Kenya — the exact figure offered will likely depend on experience, EBK registration status, and the specific project portfolio assigned.
What are the career growth opportunities after working as a Civil Engineer — Roads at KeNHA?
This role builds a strong foundation for progression to Senior Civil Engineer, Resident Engineer, or Project Manager within KeNHA or at road construction consultancies and contractors. Exposure to large national infrastructure projects and donor-funded programmes also opens doors to regional infrastructure roles across East Africa.
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