Kenya is keen to increase the use of local engineers for key development projects, Roads and Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has indicated.
This, as President William Ruto’s administration moves to implement key initiatives under the Bottom -Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Kenyan companies have been pushing to gain more from local contracts and to actualise this has been formulated.
Under the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal (Amendment) Bill, 2023, any public procurement below Sh1 billion will in future be awarded to local companies.
The Bill further imposes restrictions on foreign companies that bid for contracts worth Sh1 billion and above.
In his speech delivered by the Roads Principal Secretary Joseph Mbugua at the launch the Engineering Partnership Convention (EPC) 2024, Murkomen said engineers will play a critical role in the success of the government’s plans.
President Ruto’s government has embarked on the construction of roads, port facilities, land sites, dams, markets and industrial parks among other initiatives, to drive growth and create jobs.
“It represents a crucial opportunity for our nation to enhance its global competitiveness, with engineering at its core through; Agricultural transformation and inclusive growth (1,000 dams); Micro, small and medium enterprise; Housing and settlement; (Affordable Housing), Healthcare; and Digital superhighway (100,000km fibre optic cable) and creative industry,” Murkomen said.
According to the CS, Kenya has invested in nurturing its engineering talent Over the past six decades, with over 37,000 engineers and more than 100,000 technicians trained since independence.
“Our nation boasts a skilled workforce deployed across various sectors, including water, energy, roads and transport, defence, research, innovation, and telecommunication. Our engineers are not only capable but also globally competitive, ready to seize opportunities and contribute to our nation’s prosperity,” “he said.
The CS further noted that there is also need for collaboration of engineers with other professionals such as architects, quantity surveyors, economists, and planners in delivery of services.
The Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) affirmed its commitment to supporting the alignment of engineering practice with the governments BETA agenda.
“This conference serves as a crucial platform for dialogue and action, where stakeholders can come together to discuss strategies and deliberate policies for advancing key national priorities through engineering excellence and innovation,” EBK chairman Erastus Mwongera said.
EBK will be co-hosting the conference in partnership with the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DEKUT), a convention that will be held from May 7-10 at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Nyeri.
