Engineers call for full implementation of Engineering Technology Act
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The Institution of Engineering Technologists and Technicians-Kenya (IET-K) has called on the government to expedite the appointment and operationalization of the Engineering Technology Board, saying its absence is undermining effective regulation of the profession.
IET-K President Bibiye Mahmoud Juma said the full implementation of the Engineering Technology Act, 2016, was necessary to strengthen professional standards, quality assurance, and public safety.
Speaking in Eldoret on Wednesday during the 10th anniversary of the legislation, Juma said the Act had provided a legal foundation for the recognition, regulation, and professional development of engineering technologists and technicians, but its implementation remained incomplete.
She urged the government to address outstanding processes required for the appointment and constitution of the Engineering Technology Board and enable it to undertake its statutory functions.
“A fully constituted and operational Board is essential to providing effective regulatory oversight, professional standards, registration, discipline, quality assurance, and protection of the public interest,” Juma said.
She alleged the matter went beyond institutional concerns, noting that effective regulation of engineering technology was critical to public safety, professional accountability, quality assurance, and national development.
Juma said engineering technologists, technicians, artisans, and craftspersons played a critical role in the implementation, installation, testing, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and improvement of infrastructure and technological systems.
She cited recent concerns over building failures and infrastructure quality as evidence of the need for stronger systems of professional competence, inspection, compliance, testing, commissioning, and maintenance.
“We must ensure that appropriately qualified and competent engineering technologists, technicians, and other technical personnel are deployed where their expertise is required,” he said.
She added that infrastructure should not only be constructed but also safely operated and properly maintained throughout its intended lifespan.
The IET-K president said the profession should now move beyond legal recognition to greater participation in national development projects.
She called for clear professional and career pathways for engineering technologists and technicians, appropriate representation and recognition in public and private sector projects, opportunities to practice according to their competencies, and access to continuous professional development.
The engineering technologist advocated for greater participation of engineering technologists and technicians in national and county development programmes, as well as increased opportunities in innovation, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, and technology transfer.
Juma further recognized the contribution of artisans and craftspersons, saying Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) could provide credible pathways through which experienced Kenyans have their competencies assessed and formally recognized.
She underscored that engineering technology would be central to Kenya’s long-term industrialization and technological development as the country looks beyond Vision 2030.
“Kenya must increasingly move from being a consumer of technology to becoming a country that develops, adapts, manufactures, maintains, and exports technology and technical expertise,” he said.
Juma called for stronger partnerships between government, industry, universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, regulators, and professional bodies to build local technical capacity.
The IET-K president indicated that the country could not achieve a globally competitive, industrialized, and technologically advanced economy without fully utilizing the people who install, operate, maintain, adapt, and improve technologies and infrastructure.
Marking the 10th anniversary of the Engineering Technology Act, Juma said the first decade had provided the necessary legal foundation, while the next decade should focus on full implementation and measurable impact.
She mentioned that the country must move from recognition to participation, qualifications to competence, skills development to skills utilization, project completion to lifecycle management, and imported technology to local capability.
“Most importantly, we must move from legislation on paper to effective regulation and implementation in practice,” she said.
Juma reaffirmed IET-K’s commitment to working with the government and other stakeholders to strengthen engineering technology in Kenya, while upholding competence, integrity, professionalism, innovation, and public safety.
She also encouraged young Kenyans to consider engineering technology as a career offering opportunities for innovation, national service, and professional growth.
She said the full appointment and operationalization of the Engineering Technology Board would be an important step towards achieving these objectives.
“Development is not achieved on paper. It is achieved by competent people who turn ideas into reality,” Juma said, adding that engineering technologists and technicians were ready to play their part in Kenya’s development beyond Vision 2030.
By Ekuwam Sylvester and Brian Seronei
Reporting originally appeared via Kenya News Agency. Read the full source for additional context.