Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei has challenged engineers to place their expertise at the centre of Kenya’s development aspirations, emphasizing that the profession carries a national mission that demands collective responsibility.
Speaking during the official opening of the 32nd Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) International Convention in Mombasa, Koskei said engineering excellence is integral to national progress and must focus on building structures that ensure a sustainable future.
“Our collective hands must build not just structures, but a future that endures,” said Koskei, who was the chief guest at the event.
The three-day convention, under the theme “Engineering the Future: The Roadmap for Kenya,” brought together hundreds of engineers, policy leaders, researchers, and innovators from Kenya and abroad for a forum focused on strengthening the role of engineering in national development.
Koskei underscored the importance of nurturing young and emerging engineers, highlighting initiatives such as the Future Leaders Summit, research presentations and specialized technological workshops.
Such platforms, he said, are critical to equipping the next generation with the knowledge and tools required to respond to evolving global challenges, including renewable energy transitions, expansion of digital infrastructure and environmental sustainability.
The Head of Public Service noted that the convention represents not just professional networking, but a transformative platform for aligning engineering and technological solutions with major development blueprints, including Kenya Vision 2030, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), regional integration commitments, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Principal Secretary for the State Department for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Festus Ng’eno, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting engineering-led solutions that align with sustainable and climate-resilient development pathways.
Dr Ng’eno noted that Kenya’s vulnerability to climate-related risks, ranging from floods and droughts to coastal erosion, demands that engineers adopt approaches that safeguard communities while contributing to global climate action efforts.
“The State Department stands ready to collaborate with IEK and other professional bodies to ensure environmental sustainability becomes a standard in national development,” he said.
IEK President Engineer Shammah Kireme called on delegates to renew their commitment to the nation’s long-term development vision. “Vision 2030 will be realized,” stated Kireme, adding that the aspirations remain non-negotiable for the country.
Kireme noted that achieving the aspirations outlined in Vision 2030 requires strong cohesion among engineers, government agencies, academia and industry players. Only through such unity, he said, can Kenya achieve the infrastructure modernization, sustainable energy systems, clean water access, digital integration and resilient urban centres envisioned in the national blueprint.
by Hassan Bahati and Hadrine Joyce
