Building contractors in Kenya want the government to effect a joint venture provision that will see them share lucrative contracts with foreign firms awarded public sector jobs.

Contractors claim they have been locked out of jobs and now want the National Construction Authority to introduce an affirmative rule that will secure part of all construction tenders from the government.

Chinese firms have in particular been singled out as dominating multi-billion shilling projects in the public sector as local firms are sidelined.

"Does the NCA Act have specifications to ensure that we have a stake in the international tenders? We want a share of the same," said Abdurrahman Mohamed of Star Properties.

NCA executive director Daniel Manduku said the 2011 Act and the draft Construction Regulations 2012 will ensure local contractors get at least 30 per cent of tenders involving international firms.

He said the NCA will also intervene to have local contractors do the jobs where they have the capacity.

The NCA is registering construction companies and contractors, which have up to June 30 to comply.