The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has applauded the government’s initiative to guide 60% of students towards Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) pathways, ensuring a steady pipeline of future engineers, scientists, and technology professionals.
In a statement dated March 17, 2025, IEK noted that this move is critical for Kenya’s long-term economic competitiveness, supporting key sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, and ICT.
“Investing in STEM education will enhance Kenya’s global standing in engineering and technological innovation,” stated IEK president Eng. Shammah Kiteme.
Eng. Kiteme added that IEK is committed to advocating for engineering excellence, fostering innovation, and contributing to Kenya’s sustainable development.
“As a professional body, we recognize that a strong foundation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is essential for building a skilled workforce capable of driving industrialization, infrastructure development, and technological Advancement,” he said.
According to IEK, Mathematics is the language of engineering and technology— underpinning design, optimization, problem-solving, and data analysis in fields ranging from civil and electrical engineering to artificial intelligence and renewable energy.
Concerns About Mathematics in Non-STEM Pathways
However, IEK raised concerns over the decision to remove Mathematics as a compulsory subject in the Arts & Sports Science and Social Sciences pathways.
“While curriculum flexibility is valuable, this decision poses challenges that may impact Kenya’s workforce readiness and economic sustainability,” read part of the IEK statement.
At the same time, the institute of engineers emphasized that fields like accounting, finance, and business analytics rely heavily on Mathematical skills for financial calculations, statistical analysis, and economic modeling.
Geography & Environmental Sciences
Subjects such as climate science, urban planning, and disaster management require numerical skills for mapping, data analysis, and modeling environmental changes.
Arts & Sports Science
Mathematics plays a hidden but critical role in areas such as music theory (harmonic frequencies), design (proportions, symmetry), and sports analytics (biomechanics, performance tracking, and statistics).
Students who opt out of Mathematics may face limitations in technical specializations within creative and sports industries.
Recommendations for a balanced approach
IEK recommended that the ideal situation would be to let students be exposed to Science and Mathematics as compulsory subjects as well as languages up to grade 12.
At the same time, the institute of engineers recommended the introduction of “Applied Mathematics” for Non-STEM Pathways.
