(i) To secure the advancement and facilitate the acquisition of that knowledge which constitutes the profession of a Surveyor, namely, the science of meaning and delineating the physical features of the earth and surveying for the registration of title to land, the art of determining the value of all descriptions of landed property and of the various interests therein, of managing and developing land, the measuring and estimating of artificers' work and valuation, management, development and survey of mineral property.

(ii) To promote the general interests of the profession and to maintain and extend its usefulness for the pubic advantage.

ISK comprises four (4) semi-autonomous chapters that deal with matters relating to landed property namely:

• Chapter of Land Surveyors
• Chapter of Valuation and Estate Management Surveyors
• Chapter of Building Surveyors
• Chapter of Land Management Surveyors' Chapter

Currently, the first two chapters have Statutory Registration Boards ISK holds that functions of the others two(2) chapters be regulated and controlled through legislation enactment, or building surveyors merge with Valuation and Estate Management Chapter to come up with a single Chapter reflecting the common training of the professionals.

The Institution is affiliated to APSEA, CASLE and FIG.   It has cordial relations with UNEP and UN-Habitat.

ISK is run by an elected Council whose mandate is renewed annually during the AGM.  It has a well established Secretariat housed in Nairobi - Alibhai Shariff Building, Kimathi Street. 

To run its operations, the Institution relies on its members' subscription fees which are grossly inadequate to cater for the range of activities the Institution would like to undertake, especially for the public good.