Engineers Announce Plan to Stage Peaceful Demonstrations in Nairobi CBD

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has launched a campaign seeking employment opportunities for 10,000 engineers.

In a statement on Wednesday, August 20, the institution raised concerns over alleged mistreatment, underpayment, and marginalization of local professionals by foreign firms operating in the country.

According to IEK, Kenyan engineers are being disadvantaged through unfair remuneration practices by foreign firms operating locally and assigned to roles that neither reflect their training nor their contractual terms.

The institution also raised concerns over the allocation of jobs and projects to non-nationals despite the proven competence of Kenyan engineers.

"This situation is unacceptable and undermines both the dignity of our engineers and the future of Kenya’s technical capacity. As the learned society mandated to safeguard the profession, IEK has a solemn responsibility to bring this matter into the public domain and demand urgent redress," the statement read.

As such, IEK has demanded the immediate enforcement of existing laws to ensure Kenyan engineers receive fair remuneration and treatment. 

The institution is also calling for the protection of professional opportunities for Kenyan engineers as a matter of national priority. 

Furthermore, IEK wants a transparent review of foreign engagement in engineering works to ensure compliance with Kenyan labour and professional standards.

To press for urgent action, the institution announced that it will hold peaceful demonstrations and its President shall present a public petition to the relevant authorities on Wednesday, August 27.

"Meeting point: IEK Offices, Top Plaza, Kindaruma Road, Nairobi. Proceeding: A peaceful march to deliver the petition. Requirement: All engineers joining the procession are asked to wear a hard hat, as a symbol of our profession and solidarity," the statement read.

The institution noted that the action would be carried out in strict compliance with Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya.

"This action shall be carried out in strict compliance with Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya which guarantees the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and petition peacefully, and with the Public Order Act, Cap 56, Section 5(1). Engineers will proceed in an orderly manner and shall disperse immediately after the petition is presented and the media addressed," the statement further read.

IEK said it was ready to work with the government and industry stakeholders to ensure that Kenyan engineers are accorded their rightful place in nation-building.

"The IEK is ready to work collaboratively with government, industry stakeholders, and the wider public to ensure that Kenyan engineers are accorded their rightful place in nation building. This is a collective responsibility, and the Institution will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary," the statement concluded.

Months earlier, IEK raised alarm over the rising cases of substandard cement in the Kenyan market.

In a statement on Wednesday, May 28, the institution linked the issue to increased cases of collapsing buildings and compromised infrastructure across the country.

"Our members have documented up to 25% reduction in the compressive strength of concrete prepared from cement from several brands, undermining the strength and durability of concrete used in construction. This is a grave threat to public safety.

"The built environment must meet certain performance thresholds to withstand both everyday use and natural shocks," the statement read.

IEK also flagged rampant fraudulent practices involving cement packaging, pointing out that some bags of cement advertised as weighing 50 kilograms were significantly underweight.

To address the crisis, IEK called for urgent interventions, including a countrywide audit of cement manufacturers.

"A comprehensive audit of all cement manufacturers and brands in Kenya, including random sampling from hardware stores and distribution points, to independently verify quality and conformity across all cement classes," the institution demanded.