MTRD Division has five branches that perform the following functions: –

  1. Project Design and Construction (PDC)
    • Keeping inventory of the condition of road network in Kenya
    • Give recommendations on possible road reconstruction and rehabilitation measures
    • Carrying out pavement deflection measurements, visual condition survey, axle load surveys and traffic counts
    • Preparation of road evaluation reports
    • Maintain database for evaluation data and reports
    • Ensure materials for road projects meet required specifications
    • Provide supervision staff for ongoing road projects
    • Provide guidance on material usage for road construction
    • Conduct field and laboratory tests on ongoing road projects
    • Issue material compliance certificates
    • Construct trial sections to ascertain suitability of the materials
    • Develop material reports and pavement designs for new and rehabilitated roads
    • Provide pavement and overlay designs
    • Carry out material investigations along the proposed road alignments
  1. Research Standards and Performance Monitoring
    • Provision and maintenance of materials testing and research facilities
    • Development and monitoring of road research sections
    • Monitoring functional and structural performance of public roads to facilitate preparation of public road investment and annual works programmes by other road agencies;
    • Maintenance of pavement construction and performance monitoring data bases;
    • Research on road development, maintenance, and operations including research on new construction materials, construction methods and road safety studies;
    • Development and review of materials testing standards, design manuals and standard construction specifications;
  1. Chemistry
    • Formulating, implementing, monitoring and reviewing Chemists’ policies, strategies and statutes;
    • Carrying out quantitative and qualitative analysis of construction/ building materials, industrial raw and finished products;
    • Preparing reports; giving expert advice on materials composition; undertaking research on new and alternative methods and materials;
    • Testing and calibration of equipment; preparing standards for analysis;
    • Liaise with other stakeholders on chemical management;
    • Advising on development of any chemicals likely to affect the environment;
    • Ensuring quality control and quality assurance and proper usage of materials.
    • Analyzing and carrying out research on construction/building materials; and industrial raw and finished products for their quality and performance in terms of their chemical properties, both in the laboratory and in the field.
    • Provide advice to the clients on possible remedial and correct use of materials under test.
  1. Physics
    • Non- destructive testing (NDT) and nuclear techniques. The seven major methods of NDT are Radiography, Ultrasonic, Eddy currents, Magnetic particle inspection, penetrant testing, Visual inspection and Nucleonic gauging.
    • Destructive testing of variety of materials e.g. gabions, P.V.C tiles, guard rails, shoes, grader blades, timber, strand wires and motor vehicle batteries/acids.
    • Maintains, calibrates, and repairs instruments and machines in the Division and Provincial Laboratories. It also advises on the proper use of instruments and machines
    • Pre-disposal preparations and temporary storage of low-level radioactive wastes from both government and private institutions. The activities include collection, segregation, and temporary immobilization of radioactive wastes from hospitals, research institutions and industries.
    • Timber and metal testing. Some of the tests carried out include classification of timber (grading), moisture content etc. The unit also collaborates on the formulation of Kenya Standards on wood poles, timber and its by- products
  1. Administration
    • The branch is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Division within the policy guidelines provided by the Government.
    • Administration Division has the following units: -Administration; Accounts; Human Resources Management; Public Communications; Information Communications Technology; Supplies Chain Management and Internal Audit. These units perform different specialized duties that collectively ensure the smooth running of the Ministry.