Kenya’s interior design industry is entering a defining moment. The proposed Architectural and Quantity Surveying Practitioners Bill, 2026 seeks to introduce a formal regulatory framework for several built-environment professions, including interior designers, landscape architects, construction project managers and related technicians.businessdailyafrica
For interior designers, this is more than a policy discussion. It touches how designers train, qualify, register, practice, protect clients and build long-term careers. It also has major implications for homeowners, developers, businesses and institutions that rely on professional design services.businessdailyafrica
The Interior Design Society of Kenya (IDSK) is engaging industry professionals and built-environment stakeholders on the need for a clear framework that recognises and advances interior design practice in Kenya.idsk
What the Bill proposes
The proposed legislation seeks to make provision for the training, registration, licensing and practice of architects, quantity surveyors, landscape architects, interior designers, construction project managers and related technicians.businessdailyafrica
In practical terms, it proposes moving interior design from an informal or loosely recognised field into a regulated profession with clearer standards of competency, accountability and professional conduct.businessdailyafrica
The Bill aims to harmonise regulation across parts of the built environment, bringing professions that have often operated under different expectations into a more structured system.businessdailyafrica
Why regulation matters for interior designers
Today, many talented interior designers in Kenya work without a unified statutory recognition framework. Clients may find it difficult to distinguish between trained professionals, hobbyists and unqualified service providers.businessdailyafrica
A credible regulatory framework could help address this by creating clearer expectations around:
- Professional training and qualifications
- Registration and licensing
- Ethical practice
- Accountability to clients
- Continuing professional development
- Protection against misconduct or negligence
Formal regulation can also strengthen confidence among employers, developers, institutions and clients when awarding design contracts, because regulated professionals are held to defined standards.businessdailyafrica
What it could mean for designers
If the Bill is enacted in its proposed form, interior designers may need to meet specific requirements before practising professionally. These could include recognised training, registration, licensing and adherence to professional standards.businessdailyafrica
For established designers, this may mean formalising credentials, documenting experience and preparing for a registration process. For new designers, it may make professional education, mentorship and practical experience even more important.
For design firms, the proposed framework may also affect how practices are structured, especially where firms offer interior design services to the public.alphatech
What it means for clients
Clients stand to benefit from a more transparent industry. A regulated profession can make it easier to identify qualified designers, understand their scope of work and seek recourse where professional standards are not met.businessdailyafrica
For homeowners, this could mean greater confidence when hiring someone to plan, design or manage a residential project. For developers, hotels, offices, schools, hospitals and commercial brands, it could improve quality control across larger and more complex projects.
A strong professional framework does not replace creativity. It protects it by ensuring that designers are competent, accountable and operating within recognised standards.
The opportunity for Kenya’s design industry
Kenya’s interior design sector is growing alongside urbanisation, real-estate development, hospitality investment, commercial expansion and rising demand for well-designed living and working spaces. Formal recognition can help the industry grow responsibly.businessdailyafrica
A clear professional framework can support:
- Higher design standards across residential and commercial projects
- Stronger client trust in professional designers
- Better career pathways for young designers
- More structured collaboration with architects, developers and contractors
- Greater recognition of interior design as a serious profession
- A more competitive and credible Kenyan design market
This is an opportunity for the industry to shape a framework that reflects the real scope, skills and value of interior design.
What IDSK is advocating for
IDSK believes that any regulatory framework should recognise interior design as a distinct profession with its own body of knowledge, creative process, technical competencies and client responsibilities.
The society is engaging designers, suppliers, educators, built-environment professionals and relevant institutions to ensure that the voices of interior designers are heard in the conversation.idsk
The goal is a framework that protects the public, strengthens professional standards and creates room for Kenyan designers to grow, compete and lead.
What designers should do now
Interior designers do not need to wait for the final outcome of the Bill to strengthen their practice. Professionals can begin preparing by:
- Keeping updated portfolios of completed projects
- Documenting qualifications, training and professional experience
- Improving contracts, project documentation and client communication
- Investing in continued learning in design, materials, lighting, sustainability and project management
- Joining professional networks and industry conversations
- Following updates from IDSK and credible industry platforms
Designers who build strong professional systems today will be better positioned for whatever regulatory requirements emerge tomorrow.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Interior Design Bill 2026 already law?
No. The proposed Architectural and Quantity Surveying Practitioners Bill, 2026 is still a proposed law and must go through the parliamentary process before it can become law.alphatech
Will interior designers be required to register?
The Bill proposes mandatory training, registration and licensing for built-environment professionals, including interior designers, if it is approved and enacted.businessdailyafrica
Will clients benefit from regulation?
Yes. Regulation is intended to improve accountability, competency standards and client confidence by creating clearer professional expectations and avenues for recourse in cases of misconduct or negligence.businessdailyafrica
What should designers do while the Bill is still being discussed?
Designers should strengthen their qualifications, portfolios, contracts, professional networks and understanding of industry standards. They should also follow credible updates from IDSK.idsk
How can designers contribute to the conversation?
Designers can participate in IDSK forums, industry briefings, member discussions and stakeholder engagements on the future of interior design regulation in Kenya.idsk
Final word
The proposed Bill represents a major conversation about the future of interior design in Kenya. Whether one supports every detail of the proposed framework or believes adjustments are needed, the wider message is clear: interior design is becoming too important to remain informal.
IDSK will continue to champion a future where Kenyan interior designers are recognised, supported and equipped to deliver world-class work.
Join the conversation and grow your practice with IDSK:
https://idsk.or.ke/idsk-membership-application/
Find verified interior designers and suppliers:
https://directory.idsk.or.ke/
Read more industry insights:
https://idsk.or.ke/news-insights/
