The Institution of Surveyors of Kenya was inaugurated by 44 founding members on 17th April 1969 and subsequently registered on 12th August 1969 as a body corporate under the Societies Act. The ISK logo was registered on 20th December 1969 as a “Coat of Arms” or “Grant of Arms” under the College of Arms Act. The logo contains the motto ‘kupima na kukadiria’ (to measure and estimate).
The earlier years were used to set the tone and the foundation of what the institution is today. Therefore, the Council members carried out nationwide sensitization meetings involving its professionals, the public and the industry stakeholders. The council and the early members lobbied the few practicing surveyors to join the institution which provided a platform in which they would to raise their concerns and uplift the profession.
In 1988, ISK opened its first office at Uniafric House, 5th Floor, Room 514, Koinange Street. It was in this office that the unbundling of the carton that contained ISK information was done. This carton was handed over from one official to another after every election as there was no office where such documents could be kept. Thereafter training seminars and other services/events aimed at horning the skills of the members were introduced.
The Institution was established in 1969 and ever since, it has been an active player in the land sector, spearheading land reforms that culminated in the adoption of National Land Policy (2009), the inclusion of Chapter Five of the Constitution on Land and Environment as well as subsequent consolidation of the land laws
In 1990 advocacy on ISK picked momentum such that no media house worth its name would pen a piece in either print or electronic media without consulting the Institution and so was the case with Government and its agencies when it came to developing policies that touched on land issues. Recognition of ISK was not only felt locally but also globally. Ten years later our professional relationship thawed to our advantage. It was during this period that ISK Professional Exams were enhanced where upon success, lead to full membership.
During this period too, ISK had the privilege of hosting the then President of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), Mr. Earl James who visited ISK offices on the 1st floor of Ismail Rahimtulla Building along Mfangano Street. The then ISK Chairman Mr. Cyprian Kirera Riungu was serving as the regional president of the Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy (CASLE) and also a member of Commission 9 and 2 of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG).
ISK held the International Conference on Spatial Information in partnership with the International Federation of Surveying (FIG), and UN-Habitat. This was the first time such a conference was being held in Africa.
The ISK Council in partnership with all regulatory bodies adopted an aggressive national outreach strategy to Provincial Administrators and other key land stakeholders in all the 8 provinces of Kenya.
In 2004, ISK launched the Coast Branch graced by then Minister for Local Government Hon. Karisa Maitha so as to popularizing its activities through strategic outreach and bringing services closer to members, as well as lobbying relevant government ministries. ISK organized luncheons, dinners and public forums to increase membership and create awareness of national land policies.
ISK was engaged and extensively consulted in the drafting of the National Land Policy that culminated with the enactment of the Sessional Paper No. 3 of 2009 on National Land Policy for Kenya.
The Council also created a very active disciplinary committee that sought to safeguard ethics and integrity in practice to the extent of the Gazetting of disciplinary actions taken by the Committee.
In 2010 ISK overhauled its Constitution to address various emerging needs and changes including creating a Secretariat which never existed.
During the FIG Annual General Meeting in 2015, ISK Chairman Mr. Paul Wambua established collaboration with Netherlands Kadaster which culminated into a training in 2018 on fit for purpose. Upon completion of the training, the ISK and Netherlands Kadaster International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which still stands.
In 2013, ISK approved the formation of the Western ISK Branch which opened its doors in 2016 during the chairmanship of Mr. Stephen Odongo Ambani. This development brought services to ISK Members operating in the western region. It also enhanced ISK position and increased its visibility among stakeholder organizations and regional Governments.
Founder Members
Mr. J. Loxton, D. Lauer, W. M. Barnes, John Hamilton Gaylor, R.R. Meynik, Alfred O. Meara, David Kamau, Emeric Fonseca, Lawrence Rodrigues, Thomas Bridges, C.A.A. Hime, John Pickwell, Frank Ratzerburg,I.F. Cuthill ,David Malcom Patterson, Henry Charles Walsh ,J. S. Vaughan, Frank Edward Charnley, Wallis Fredrick Hime, Pelie Paul Anyumba, Alfred Douglass Sweet, Howard Collins Long, William Murdach Stevenson, David Thomoson, Ronald Nelms, Stuart Baker, David Barker, Patrick Flatt, Robertson Dunn, Ronald Edwards, Saad Yayha, Baldip Rihal, Richard Polkinghorne, Simon Wilson, Dennis Stewart, B.T. Yonge, Frank Lund, Richard Leslie Naish, John Richard Morris Lloyd, John Wairagu, V.R. Bond and Charles Patrick Walker