IEK WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Week 4 May 2025

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IEK,

NCA & CoG Hold Workshop on Site Inspection Handbook to Standardize Construction Oversight Nationwide

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 th

IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme, NCA Executive Director Eng. Maurice Akech, and CouncilofGovernorsrepresentativePlan.

Nicodemus Mbwika joined industry professionals at the Weston Hotel for a workshop on the Site Inspection Handbook. The handbook will serve as a guide to standardize siteinspectionsacrossthecountry.

TheSiteInspectionHandbookisajointinitiative between the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), the National Construction Authority (NCA) and Council of Governors (CoG). It brings together industry best practices, statutory requirements and applicable laws into one comprehensive guide for construction site inspections.

The Handbook is intended for adoption across allcounties,supportingcountygovernments,

engineers and built environment professionals in enhancing compliance, quality, and safety inconstructionprojectsnationwide.

This collaboration marks a significant step toward advancing professionalism and safety inKenya’sconstructionindustry.

Strengthening County-Level Impact: IEK Council Meets Chair

of Council of Governors

Monday, 12 May 2025 th

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) Council, led by President Eng. ShammahKitemepaidacourtesycall

onH.E.FCPAAhmedAbdullahi,E.G.H,Governor of Wajir County and Chairperson of the Council of Governors The meeting sought to deepen strategic collaboration between the IEK and the Council of Governors in advancing sustainable infrastructure and industrial development.

Eng. Kiteme emphasized that while financial resources are essential, counties equally require technical planning and oversight to deliver impactful development He introduced IEK’s Infrastructure Scorecard as a valuable planning and evaluation tool and urged counties to engage in the ongoing national buildingcodedevelopmentspearheadedbyIEK and the National Construction Authority He furtherproposedtargetedcapacity-building

initiatives, support in rehabilitating E-dams, and collaborative frameworks to spur industrialgrowthatthecountylevel.

IEK 2nd Vice President, Eng. Christine Ogut, emphasized the importance of structured professional development for engineers in the counties She also highlighted the upcoming inaugural Women Engineers Convention as a milestone in promoting gender inclusion within the engineering sector. IEK Council Member Eng. John Nyaguti called for the adoption and implementation of the engineers’ scheme of service across counties, noting its potential to enhance professionalism, retention, and career progression among engineers serving in devolvedunits

Inresponse,H.EGovernorAbdullahiwelcomed the partnership, reiterating the need for improvedqualitycontrolmechanisms

Strengthening County-Level Impact: IEK Council

Meets Chair of Council of Governors

Monday, 12 May 2025 th

in county infrastructure projects. He cited challenges such as low registration of practicing engineers, underutilized cottage industries, and high post-harvest food losses. The Gover integration government achieving ba especiallyin

The IEK de Member Eng Officer Eng. Researchan

Pictorial

Courtesy

Call to Mama Ida Odinga Ahead of the Inaugural Women Engineers Convention

Thursday, 15 May 2025 th

In the lead-up to the 1st Women Engineers Convention, the Institution of Engineers of Kenya(IEK),ledbyCEOEng MaureenAuka,

WEC Member Winnie Opuch, and PRP Manager

Anvar Alot, paid a courtesy call to Mama Ida Odinga to discuss the upcoming event and its significance for women in the engineering profession.

During the meeting, the IEK delegation shared key objectives of the convention, scheduled for 29th–30thMay2025atSawelaLodge,Naivasha, andhighlightedtheInstitution’scommitmentto promoting gender inclusion for women in engineeringacrossthecountry IEK was honoured to receive Mama Ida Odinga’swarmsupportandisproudtoconfirm that she will grace the convention as a special guest, lending her influential voice to the cause of empowering women in STEM and technical fields.

Highlights from the Young Engineers Dinner & Mentorship Event

Saturday, 17 May 2025 th

Young Engineers Dinner & Mentorship Evening, hosted by the Future Leaders CommitteeoftheIEK,broughttogether

seasoned leaders an a powerful evening o encouragement Th insights from ac ecosystem, with a professional develop longjourneytoexcell

“Trust the Process” HarrisonKeter.

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akwithIntegrity” Eng. Christine Ogut, the importance of ion and leadership ged all engineers to ask:

Highlights from the Young Engineers Dinner & Mentorship Event

Saturday, 17 May 2025 th

IsitTRUE?

IsitNECESSARY?

IsitKIND?

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The Enginee statementdeliveredbytheRegistrar/CEOEng

growing national commitment to structured professionalgrowth.

A special panel session addressed several pressing issues facing engineers today, with ealth in the ighted the ce, open al cultures professional insightful K council ngaiza, Eng. angoleand s segment, sionalsand community. red IEK’s llence and within the

Margaret Ogai and read by Eng. Mercy Karen Akinyi, affirmed that the country is in the final stages of acceding to the Washington Accord, a significant milestone that will give Kenyan engineeringqualificationsglobalrecognition In addition, the Graduate Engineers Internship Program(GEIP)hasbeensignificantlyscaledup from500to5,000participantsreflectingthe

Pictorials

Pictorials Highlights from the Young Engineers Dinner & Mentorship Event

Saturday, 17 May 2025 th

Pictorials Highlights from the Young Engineers Dinner & Mentorship Event

Saturday, 17 May 2025 th

Thank You

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya sincerely thanks our sponsors for supporting the Young Engineers Dinner & Mentorship Event held on Saturday, 17th May 2025. Your partnership enabled an impactful evening of inspiration, learning, and professional connection for our young engineers.

IIEK Attends

Historic Kenya-Finland Business Forum to Champion Infrastructure & Investment Collaboration

Friday, 16 May 2025 th

n a significant moment for Kenya’s internationalpartnerships,theInstitutionof EngineersofKenya(IEK)joinednational

stakeholders at the Kenya-Finland Business Forum, held at the JW Marriott Hotel, Nairobi

The event, which coincided with the first-ever state visit to Kenya by the President of the RepublicofFinland,H.E.Dr.AlexStubb,markeda historic milestone in strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties between the two nations.

IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme and Hon. Secretary Eng. Jacton Mwembe were in attendance to represent the engineering profession and engage in high-level conversations on infrastructure, investment, and technology partnerships. Their participation affirmed IEK’s ongoing commitmenttoaligningKenya’sengineering

sector with global investment priorities and fosteringtechnicalcooperationthatadvances nationaldevelopment

The business forum brought together senior governmentofficials,diplomats,investors,and thought leaders from both countries. It was co-hosted by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Hon Lee Kinyanjui, and Finland’s Director General of Business Finland, Mr. Lassi Noponen, among others.TheFinnishdelegationincludedH.E.Mr. Pirkka Tapiola, Ambassador of Finland to Kenya, reflecting Finland’s robust diplomatic andeconomicinterestinKenya.

A Night of Unity, Reflection, and Resolve | IEK Presidential Connect Gala Dinner – Central Branch

Friday, 16 May 2025 th

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) Central Branch, Central Branch hostedthePresidentialConnect

GalaDinneratthe FKResort&SpainNyeri

Eng. Shammah Kiteme as the Chief Guest delivered a keynote that captured both the opportunities and challenges facing the engineering profession in Kenya. The evening’s theme, “One IEK, One Future: Empowering Engineers, Inspiring and Bridging Generations,” was not only timely, it was a call to collective action.

Despite the beauty and elegance of the evening, the realities facing our industry are sobering:

• 55% of engineers in Kenya remain unemployed, largely due to limited absorption in both public and private sectors, weak enforcementoflocalcontentlaws,andthe-

continued outsourcing of engineering work to foreignfirms,evenwhenlocalcapacityexists

• A combination of economic slowdown with a 07% drop in GDP, a 72% decline in cement consumption, and a reduction in private sector employment has significantly shrunk opportunities in construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing, further reducing job creationforengineers

These aren’t just numbers, they represent the diminishing space for engineering talent to thrive in Kenya Our young professionals are being trained, but not absorbed. Our seasoned experts are underutilized. And our engineering voice is often missing from nationalpolicyandinvestmentdecisions.

Yet,thereishope Andmomentumisbuilding:

• In recent years, engineers have begun holding key leadership roles in government, agencies,andprivateinstitutionsprovingthat

A Night of Unity, Reflection, and Resolve | IEK

Presidential Connect Gala Dinner – Central Branch

Friday, 16 May 2025 th

engineers can lead with both vision and technicaldepth

• Strategic engineering parastatals are now being led by professionals from within our ranks, signa engineering

• The Scale passedin20 standardizat

Still, only 15–and a sign continues to engineers r continue to waitonthes

AstheIEKPre “Wemustbe Wemustass

We must representatio reformsthat

Moreover, w Engineering guarantee competitiven Kenyanengi

This Gala wa wasapower

•Wearestrongerwhenunited

• We must empower young engineers and bridgegenerations

• We must take our rightful place in building Kenya’sfuture

Because when we raise our voices, we are heard

BecauseweareOneIEK.OneFuture.

The Branch Chair Eng. Hannah Kamau delivered a heartfelt message that resonated with members across all levels of the Institution In her address, she reminded us of the power of collective purpose and the enduring spirit of unity that binds engineers acrossKenya.

“As we dine and connect tonight, let us remember that ‘One IEK’ is not just a slogan It is a promise, a promise to work as one family, across branches, across generations, across disciplines, to empower, to inspire, and to bridge.”

Pictorials

A Night of Unity, Reflection, and Resolve | IEK

Presidential Connect Gala Dinner – Central Branch Friday, 16 May 2025 th

Pictorials

Strengthening Capacity: PPP Training for Critical Infrastructure Projects Concludes

Friday, 16 May 2025 th

The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for Critical Infrastructure Projects training successfullyconcludedtodayatLake

Naivasha Resort, following a comprehensive week-long programme held from 12th to 16th May

The training provided participants with an indepth exploration of PPP structures, legal frameworks, financing models, and global best practices, equipping engineers and project managers with the tools necessary to engage in complex infrastructure delivery through public-privatecollaboration.

Keyfacilitatorsfortheprogrammeincluded: Mary Waithiegeni Chege, Managing Partner at EMSI & Associates, and a renowned legal expertininfrastructurelaw; Dr. Eng. John Mativo, Managing Director & CEO of KETRACO, who brought practical insightsfromleadinginfrastructureprojects.

The programme culminated in a closing ceremony presided over by Eng. Christine Ogut, 2nd Vice-President of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), who commended participants for their dedication and reaffirmedIEK’scommitmenttoenhancingthe capacity of engineers to lead and manage strategicnationalprojects

Advancing Excellence: IEK Participates in NCA Awards Criteria Review

Tuesday, 13 May 2025 th

The National Construction Authority (NCA) Annual Excellence Awards are backandthistime,theypromiseto

be more impactful than ever As part of IEK’s continued engagement in national industry development, the Institution was honored to take part in the review of the draft eligibility criteriafortheawards.

Eng Yvonne Roberts, Member of the Future Leader Committee of the IEK represented Eng. ShammahKiteme,PresidentoftheInstitutionof Engineers of Kenya (IEK), during the review session. Her participation reaffirmed IEK’s commitment to promoting professionalism, fairness, and inclusivity in national recognition platforms that celebrate excellence in construction.

The NCA Excellence Awards serve as a vital platform to recognize and encourage outstandingperformanceamonglocal

contractors, while also promoting best practicesandinnovationacrossthesector.IEK believes that such platforms play a critical role in raising industry standards, celebrating local talent, and driving sustainable national development.

Asaprofessionalbody,IEKremainsdedicated to supporting capacity building for Kenyan contractors and enhancing collaboration across the construction and engineering ecosystem. We salute all local contractors whose work continues to transform the built environment and ultimately, the lives of Kenyans.

IEK

Invited to Nairobi City County Assembly Committee Session on Land, Planning, and Housing Wednesday, 17 May 2025 th

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), has received an official invitation fromtheNairobiCityCountyAssembly

to appear before the Sectoral Committee on Lands, Planning, and Housing. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 20th May 2025 at 11:00 a.m., and will be held at City Hall Buildings, CountyAssemblyWing,Room5.

This follows the County Assembly’s acknowledgment of a public statement issued by IEK on 26th April 2025, highlighting pressing issues around corruption, inefficiency, unethical practices, and poor service delivery in the development approvals process These challenges were identified as significant impediments to sustainable urban developmentinNairobi.

The Committee, in its sitting on 6th May 2025, resolved to invite IEK to share its insights, evidence,andprofessionalperspectiveon

these concerns. The Assembly noted that IEK's involvement would significantly support its ongoing inquiry into urban development processes administered by the Nairobi City UrbanPlanningTechnicalCommittee. IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme will represent the Institute at this critical engagement. The participation underscores IEK’s unwavering commitment to advocating for transparency, efficiency, and ethical governance in engineering and urban planningprocessesacrossthecountry.

Engineers Lead the Way in Health Policy: IEK Hosts Successful Universal Health Policy Proposal Webinar

Friday, 16 May 2025 th

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), through its Universal Health Taskforce,successfullyhostedahigh-

impactwebinarfocusedontheUniversalHealth Policy Proposal. The virtual session, held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, brought together engineering professionals to explore the sector’s role in supporting and shaping Kenya’s universalhealthcareagenda

ModeratedbyCliffordNyambedha,thewebinar featured engaging presentations and a robust discussion on how engineering intersects with public health infrastructure and policy implementation

IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme addressed the forum with a compelling call to action: engineers must take up space in health sector conversations, particularly in the design, planning, and oversight of infrastructure and systemsthatunderpinqualityhealthcare.

The main presentation saw Eng. Muigai, Eng. Binga, and Eng. Rodgers Otieno Oloo unpack the proposed Universal Health Policy from an engineeringstandpoint Theyhighlightedgaps in existing frameworks, proposed innovations in service delivery, and reinforced the importance of infrastructure planning that putspeoplefirst.

This was followed by a vibrant discussion session, where participants raised questions, exchanged ideas, and reflected on the practical steps engineers can take to support the UHC mission. It was clear from the discussion that engineers have both the mandate and the tools to contribute meaningfullytoKenya’shealthagenda

Date:Monday,19thMay2025

Time:4:00PM–6:00PM

SOLAR PV T1 & T2

Date:16 -20 June2025 th th

ModeofDelivery:Fivedaysfulltime

Venue:StrathmoreUniversity

Venue:StrathmoreUniversity 12-16TH MAY 2025

Date:14 -18 June2025 th th

ModeofDelivery:Fivedaysfulltime

TheAfricaConstructionLaw(ACL)Conferencereturnsforits5theditionon22–23May2025. The 2025 annual Africa Construction Law (ACL) Conference is a gathering of practitioners workingintheinfrastructureandenergyspacefromacrossAfrica. Thethemeforthisyear’sconferenceis“TheFutureofConstructioninAfrica”

RENEWAL OF MHANDISI MEDICARE SCHEME FUND

Weextendaninvitationforyoutorenewyour MhandisiMedicareSchemeFund. The Medicare Registration Form can be accessedhere.

Please be advised that existing members should anticipate receiving a detailed SMS withpertinentinformationfromAAR.

Your prompt attention to the renewal process ensures uninterrupted access to the comprehensivehealthcarebenefitsprovided byMhandisiMedicareSchemeFund.

Thank you for your continued trust and participationinourhealthcareprogram

NEW MEMBERSHIP PORTAL

ThenewintegratedIEKmembership managementsystemoffersconvenience, accessibility,andimprovedservicesfor youourvaluedmembers.Membersare encouragedtoupdatetheirdetailsby clickingheretoactivatetheirportalsand accessservicesonthego. Byactivatingyourportal,youcanamong othersaccess:

Digitalmembershipapplication

Streamlinedeventsregistration Instantreceiptsandinvoices StreamlinedCPDtracking

Kindlytakenotethatwearenolonger acceptingmanualapplicationsasweare 100%paperless.

IEK RETIRED ENGINEERS’ FEE

At IEK, we deeply appreciate the invaluable contributions of our members throughout their careers. To honor their transition into retirement, we have developed a special fee remission structurespecificallyforretiredengineers. Clickheretoviewthepolicyandapplicationform.

ENGINEERING IN KENYA MAGAZINE

The21stissueoftheEngineeringinKenyaMagazine is out. The theme for this Edition is "Biomedical & HealthcareEngineering". Clickheretogetyourcopy.

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