Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has proposed the establishment of a taskforce to manage State Corporation reforms in the country.
In a statement dated February 3, 2025, IEK noted that the taskforce should be spearheaded by professional bodies.
This was after President William Ruto’s Cabinet on January 21, 2025 at the Kakamega State Lodge proposed that 42 State corporations will be merged into 20.
In a statement, IEK president Eng. Shammah Kiteme noted that the Institution of Engineers of Kenya is keen to nominate representatives to help oversee an orderly transition.
“We also note that the corporations to be affected are established by statutes. It is important that the process will be carried out in a manner that respects state corporations Act, Companies Act and the particular Acts of parliament that establish them,” read part of IEK statement.
At the same time Eng. Kiteme emphasized the need for expeditious legislative action to amend the statutes under which these institutions fall, allowing the proposed changes to be implemented without undue delay, and minimizing the anxiety that the affected employees are going through after the Cabinet announcement.
“We note that the proposals affect, among other professions, the regulation of Engineering in Kenya. It is expected that more clarity will be provided as the absence of a clear roadmap has caused anxiety among our members,” Kiteme stated.
He added that engineers are capable of this and IEK will take the lead in providing a way forward on how the engineering profession in Kenya will transition to self-regulation.
IEK welcomes the opportunity for engineers to manage their own affairs through an elected representative council, which will oversee the profession’s standards and practices including training, licensure and continuous professional development.
Engineers work in many sectors including IT, Healthcare, Mining, Agriculture, Water, Energy, Roads, Aviation, Building, Transportation, and Manufacturing.
Self-regulation will allow a more inclusive framework that transcends engineers working in all sectors and engineering specialties, establishing a unified body that represents all engineering professionals nationwide.
“We will continue to work with stakeholders in the private and public sector to ensure that the reforms align with the long-term interests of engineers while safeguarding job security, professionalism, and the integrity of the engineering profession,” said Eng. Kiteme.
