Growth and Trend of Construction Industry Output in Kenya: 1977-2023

Abstract

In recent times, an increasing number of scholars have been drawn into studying the construction industry and its role in various economies of the world due to the importance attached to its economic functions. It has been observed that, in the absence of the role played by this industry around the world, no economy can stand. In this respect therefore, the researcher herein undertook to take a closer look into the growth and trends of construction industry output in Kenya from 1977 up to 2023; a span of forty-seven (47) years. The study was examining whether construction output in the country was on an upward trend, stunted or on a downward trend. This is quite a pertinent question to answer since the demand for constructed facilities is continuously going up. For purposes of answering these questions, data were collected from Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and analyzed both graphically and by application of exponential trend analysis which serves as a report of the findings. The results from the study indicate that the industry took a downward trend for the whole forty-seven (47) years. This study therefore recommends formulation of a policy which can reroute the industry to the envisaged growth trajectory and hence meet the country’s ever-increasing constructed facilities’ demand.