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Kenya, 9 November 2026 - As Kenya's construction industry rebounds amid growing concerns over building safety and professional standards, the architectural consultancy is positioning itself for expansion beyond the domestic market.
Calls for qualified and licensed architects are growing louder in Kenya as the country grapples with recurring cases of collapsed buildings, condemned structures and concerns over construction standards.
The debate over professional qualifications and accountability in the built environment comes at a time when demand for housing, commercial developments and infrastructure is creating fresh opportunities for players in the construction industry.
Against this backdrop, Kenyan architectural consultancy Design Source Limited is looking beyond its domestic market as it marks 20 years in the built environment industry, having evolved from a small architectural practice into a multidisciplinary consultancy.
Founded in 2006 by architects Christopher Naicca and Emma Miloyo, the company is seeking to leverage its experience in Kenya to explore opportunities in other African markets.
Its expansion ambitions come as the construction sector shows signs of recovery. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the sector grew by 6.8 per cent in 2025, recovering from a 0.7% contraction in 2024, while the overall economy expanded by 4.6%.
The recovery provides an opportunity for the company to build on its two-decade presence in the market and pursue new opportunities in a region experiencing growing demand for housing, infrastructure and commercial developments.
The firm marked its anniversary with a dinner attended by its founders, employees, clients and industry partners.
Its journey began during the founders' university years, when they envisioned establishing an architectural practice that would allow professionals to exercise their creativity while contributing to meaningful developments.
“By the time we were in our fifth year at the university we were sure we wanted to work in a firm where we would be free to express our creative spirit,” said Miloyo.
Over the years, the company has expanded beyond architecture to offer interior design, project management, construction supervision and master planning.
The multidisciplinary model enables it to support clients through different stages of development, from initial concepts and design to implementation and supervision.
Naicca says the firm's ambition has always extended beyond commercial success.
“We wanted to have some impact, we are not just doing architecture but we want to touch lives and transform,” he said.
Opportunities amid industry challenges
Kenya's construction market continues to be driven by urbanisation, housing demand and investment in commercial and institutional developments.
According to Invest Kenya, the country requires more than 200,000 affordable housing units annually, with the government targeting similar annual delivery through to 2030.
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The National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) estimates annual housing demand at approximately 244,000 units against an estimated supply of fewer than 50,000 units.
The deficit presents opportunities for developers and professional consultancies offering architectural design, planning, project management and construction supervision.
However, concerns over building quality remain significant.
The Architectural Association of Kenya's Status of the Built Environment Report 2025 found that 87 per cent of projects audited by the National Building Inspectorate failed to meet building standards or lacked the required approvals. The inspectorate audited 396 buildings in 2025.
The findings highlight the importance of professional expertise, regulatory compliance and effective construction supervision in ensuring safer developments.
Design Source has built a portfolio across several sectors, including education, hospitality, energy, commercial and residential development.
Its notable projects include Gulf Energy Headquarters, Alba Hotel in Meru, Moi Educational Centre, the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) at Konza, the University of Embu and iHUB. It has also undertaken projects for the Jesuits of Africa and Madagascar.
This diversity has enabled the consultancy to serve different client segments while strengthening its experience in delivering institutional, commercial and specialised developments.
Leadership behind the growth
The firm's development has been closely associated with the professional experience and leadership of its founders.
Naicca is a registered architect and Chartered Architect with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), as well as a member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK). He has more than 19 years of experience across the public and private sectors.
Miloyo graduated from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology with First-Class Honours in Architecture, becoming the first woman at the institution to achieve the distinction.
She later became the first female president of the Architectural Association of Kenya.
As it enters its third decade, Design Source is looking to translate its Kenyan experience into opportunities across Africa.
Its priorities include embracing emerging technologies, responding to evolving sustainability requirements, strengthening its professional team and building industry partnerships.
From a small architectural practice established by two university graduates to a multidisciplinary consultancy with projects across several sectors, Design Source's growth reflects an ambition to combine professional expertise with meaningful impact.
Its next challenge will be to turn that experience into a sustainable regional presence while maintaining the standards and relationships that have shaped its first two decades.