In this article, you will get to know how to become a land surveyor in Kenya.
Simply put, surveyors are highly skilled professionals who contribute significantly to the development, construction, and definition of properties, construction sites, and environmental sites.
They typically rely on a variety of skills to perform their jobs and receive specialized training to qualify for work in their field.
Hence, understanding the steps you can take to pursue this career can help you decide if it’s a good fit for your interests and strengths.
In this article, you will learn how to become a land surveyor in Kenya. This includes the course you should take and how long it will take to complete, registering with the Land Surveyor Board, and land surveyor requirements, among other things.
Let us get started…
How to become a land surveyor in Kenya
Since the job requires advanced technology and math, a bachelor’s degree in surveying, spatial science, geospatial science, or geographic information systems is required in Kenya.
Besides, a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as engineering or natural resources, may also be acceptable.
The majority of Kenyan colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degree programs that are specifically designed to prepare students to become licensed surveyors.
Also, a licensed land surveyor must have practical training under the supervision of a licensed surveyor, as well as work experience.
Importantly, before you can certify legal documents or provide surveying services to the public, you must be licensed.
That being said, I’ll walk you through the steps of how to become a land surveyor in Kenya.
The steps are as follows:
1. Explore land surveyor education
The first thing to consider if you want to become a land surveyor is how much education you will need.
Although a certificate or diploma in land surveying is available, a degree is preferred due to its broad scope. When you pursue a degree in land surveying, you will undoubtedly gain the necessary skills.
Thus, if you want to pursue any degree course that will provide you with relevant land surveying skills, you must have a KCSE mean grade of C+ (with a C+ in Mathematics, Physics, and English).
The degree program takes at least four years to complete.
You could, however, start at the certificate level and work your way up to the degree level.
The following are the prerequisites for taking a land surveyor course at the certificate and diploma levels:
Certificate in Land Survey
Minimum entry requirement
KCSE mean grade of D (with D in English, Mathematics, and Physics).
Full-time study for the certificate course lasts two years.
Diploma in Land Survey
Minimum entry requirement
KCSE mean grade of C-(with C-in English, Mathematics, and Physics) or a KNEC Craft Certificate in a related or equivalent field.
The diploma program is three years long and requires full-time study.
As it can be seen, the length of a land surveyor course in Kenya varies according to the level of education pursued.
A certificate and diploma in land surveying typically take two and three years to complete, respectively, whereas a degree can take up to four years.
But where can you enroll in a land surveying course in Kenya? Kenyan colleges and universities that offer land surveying courses include:
- Kenyatta University
- The University of Nairobi
- Kenya Institute of Land Surveying and Mapping (KIMS)
- Kenya Technical Training College (KTTC)
- The Eldoret National Polytechnic
- Kabete National Polytechnic
- Vitech Training Institute of Nairobi
- Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD)
- Kenya Institute of Professional Studies (KIPS)
2. Develop land surveyor skills
A successful land surveyor must have strong analytical and mathematical skills, excellent communication skills, attention to detail (detail-oriented), good time management skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Additionally, in this profession, good problem-solving skills and the ability to use advanced technology are also required.
When applying for a job, these land surveyor skills are extremely valuable.
3. Participate in relevant training or an internship
Internships are an excellent way to gain real-world industry experience no matter what career path you choose.
Land survey internships not only better prepare you for the field, but also provide insight into the dynamics of collaboration with a survey crew.
In most cases, after earning a bachelor’s degree, most land surveyors spend 4-10 years on post-employment training under a licensed surveyor.
During this time, new land surveyors learn the skills and techniques needed for their specific job and employer.
In addition, by participating in internships, you may have the opportunity to meet other professionals in the field and expand your professional network.
Land survey internships are available in a variety of companies and industries in Kenya.
4. Obtain the required licensing
The Survey Act outlines the requirements for becoming a licensed surveyor in Kenya.
So, in order for the Land Surveyors’ Board to register you as a fully licensed land surveyor, you must meet the following criteria:
But what exactly is the Land Surveyors’ Board?
The Land Surveying Board (LSB) is the statutory body in Kenya that regulates and advances the practice of land surveying.
Here are the requirements:
- Conduct a farm survey of at least 10 hectares with a section with a curvilinear boundary that is at least 100 meters long. It should be noted that the curvilinear section could be from a different survey.
- Carry out a cadastral survey of at least 30 plots, either in one scheme or multiple schemes. (at least 1 scheme to contain 7 plots).
- Perform a topographic survey of at least 5 hectares in a medium-disaster area in accordance with the Board’s topographic survey guidelines.
- Conduct a control survey that includes at least four new control points.
- Pass the Land Law Examination given by the Board.
- Have full membership in the Kenyan Institute of Surveyors, with a Certificate of Participation and current payment.
- Declaration forms A and B of the Survey Act’s third schedule, duly completed
- A duly completed Land Surveyors Board application form.
- A letter of application to the board.
- The required application fees of Kshs. 10,000.
The good news is that getting a license will allow you to do your job more effectively and certify legal documents pertaining to property lines and construction projects.
5. Research the duties of a land surveyor
When deciding to become a land surveyor, it is critical to understand the duties and responsibilities of this position.
Land surveyors typically perform the following tasks:
- Conducts research on land records, survey records, and land titles.
- Measures the land size and features.
- Gathers accurate information about the area’s shape and contours.
- Marks boundary lines on the physical construction site.
- Creates roadmaps, plots, and charts for supervisors.
- Liaises with government agencies and clients, as well as delivering relevant reports.
It should be noted that land surveyors are an important link in the land development process.
6. Create a resume
Finally, once you’ve reviewed the skills and responsibilities for this role and registered with the LSB, you can begin working on your resume.
7. Apply for a job as a land surveyor
It’s time to start looking for a new job with your resume in hand.
There are currently a number of land survey job opportunities available, so apply; you might end up with a well-paying job.
You can consider the following tips for a successful job search:
- Look for relevant job postings on job boards.
- Check with your professional network.
- Directly contact companies where you are interested in working.
Simply, that’s how to become a land surveyor in Kenya.
Land surveyors in Kenya
Do you require the assistance of a licensed professional surveyor in Kenya for land amalgamation, subdivision, and cadastral work, engineering works on land mutation, and topographical and mapping surveys?
So, here is a list of licensed land surveyors in Kenya who you can contact:
- John Sidney Vaughan
J.S Vaughan, Licensed Surveyor,
P.O Box 46, Naivasha.
- Phillipe A. Zimmerlin
Hime & Zimmerline Licensed Surveyors,
P.O Box 14437-00800, Nairobi.
Tel: 020 418 2386
- James Kamwere
Kamwere & Associates,
P.O Box 46066-00100, Nairobi.
Phone: 0787 610 045
- Walter Juma Absaloms
P.O Box 896, Kisumu.
Phone: 0728 162 425/0733 796 802
- James Mwarari Gatome
Gatome &Associates,
P.O Box 52144-00200, Nairobi.
Phone: 0725 674 301
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How to become a land surveyor in Kenya – FAQs
Is land survey marketable in Kenya?
Land surveyors are in high demand in Kenya, and the more experience you have, the better your chances of landing a good job.
As a result, whether at the undergraduate or postgraduate level, land surveying is one of the most marketable courses in Kenya.
Land surveyors are in high demand in Kenya, owing to the numerous developments in various parts of the country.
Furthermore, due to the country’s expanding construction and real estate industries, the demand for land surveyors in Kenya has been steadily increasing in recent years.
How to become a land surveyor in Kenya – Summary
So there you have it: how to become a land surveyor in Kenya.
As previously stated, all that is required to become a licensed land surveyor and be legally authorized to perform land and property boundary surveys is to complete a survey course, undergo practical training under the supervision of a licensed surveyor, pass an examination, and finally register with the Land Surveyors’ Board.
It should be noted that obtaining a surveying degree in Kenya is the best way to learn how to measure and map land shapes.
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