Engineers raise alarm over rise in quacks, exclusion from major projects

Institute of Engineers of Kenya President Engineer Shammah Kiteme. [File, Standard]

A sharp rise in unqualified engineers is fuelling a crisis in Kenya’s construction sector, with professional bodies linking the trend to recent building and infrastructure collapses.

Speaking during the first Women Engineers Convention held at Sawela Lodge in Naivasha, Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) President Engineer Shammah Kiteme said the group had been sidelined in key policy decisions involving capital-intensive projects.

“Currently, we have been locked out of the contract for the Rironi-Mau Summit expressway, just like other projects, despite the high potential in the country,” noted Kiteme.

He observed that major contracts were routinely signed by senior government officials and foreign donors without input from local experts, warning that this practice was undermining safety and quality standards.

Odinga, who is also CEO of Spectre Limited, pointed to the surge in unlicensed professionals as a growing threat.

“It’s worrying that the country has one of the lowest numbers of women engineers, but this can be blamed on imports, which are killing employment opportunities,” said Odinga.

She noted that with few job prospects at home, many trained engineers were seeking work in other African countries.

Kiteme added that women made up only 14 per cent of engineers in the country, despite Kenya rolling out numerous infrastructure projects.

“It’s time that we addressed this,” said Kiteme.

Engineer Margaret Ogai, a board member of the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), said the influx of foreign contractors was displacing local professionals.

“Over 40 per cent of graduate engineers in the country do not have jobs, yet we have major contracts undertaken by foreigners,” said Ogai.

She explained that global trade tensions had worsened the situation, limiting job opportunities for Kenyan engineers.

EBK Chairman Engineer Erastus Mwongera said the board was collaborating with state agencies to improve employment access for women in engineering.

“We have over 40 per cent of women engineers who are unemployed and are working with the Ministry of Roads so that they can be given a chance as they can deliver,” noted Mwongera.