New IET-K President Bibiye Mahmoud pushes for sweeping reforms as she assumes office

By Steve UMIDHA

The newly elected President of the Institution of Engineering Technology of Kenya (IET-K) has vowed to push for equal rights and career justice for the country’s engineering technology professionals, in a sweeping reorganisation that will give Bibiye Mahmoud full autonomy as she seeks to oversee the full operationalization of the Engineering Technology Act, No. 23 of 2016, which had been passive for nearly a decade.

In her acceptance and assumption of office address, Ms Mahmoud reiterated the importance of implementing the Act fully, if the profession’s regulatory body, the Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board (KETRB), is to function optimally in its mandate, which also includes registration of the engineering technology professionals and compliance.

“For nine years, the Engineering Technology Act has existed more on paper than in practice. KETRB has been denied the staff, resources, and institutional support required to fulfill its mandate,” said Bibiye.

Adding that the new council would also lobby for proper government funding to enable the Board to carry out registration, regulation, and compliance “as the law requires.”

“A functioning regulator is the foundation of professional dignity. We will make this our frontline agenda,” she said, a message that was also echoed by the outgoing President George Thumbi.

Indeed, KETRB, established in 2016, was meant to regulate and standardize the work of engineering technologists and technicians in the construction sector, but has remained a toothless watchdog in its quest to address challenges faced by the sector’s engineering technologists, technicians, craftsmen, and artisans across the country.

“Because KETRB has been weakened, unfair career guidelines have emerged, most notably from the Public Service Commission. These guidelines force our qualifications to be assessed by an unrelated board, create artificial ceilings in promotions, and deny us pathways that others enjoy freely,” added Ms. Mahmoud.

Further adding that, under her leadership, she will ensure that the council calls for an urgent corrigendum from the public service commission (PSC) to remove all discriminatory clauses, and advocate for equal entry grades, equal progression, and equal recognition of its professional qualifications.

It will also seek an appeal to the Attorney General for a government-wide legal opinion clarifying the independent mandates of KETRB and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), which mutually play crucial linkages in the construction sector.

She added that the delayed implementation of the Act continues to affect their professional growth. Their work supports Kenya’s key development goals, including infrastructure growth and industrialization.

Mahmoud made those remarks just weeks after leading a successful peaceful procession along Parliament Buildings and Harambee Avenue in October to address the aforementioned concerns.

For nearly a decade, they have been advocating for formal recognition, better career opportunities, and the full operationalization of the 2016 Act.

The professionals said the delay has exposed them to career challenges and limited participation in key national projects.

They noted that weak regulation has created gaps in oversight within the construction sector, affecting quality and safety standards.

“Our exclusion from major government projects has affected not only our careers, but the nation’s safety and development. The National Construction Authority has repeatedly linked inadequate technical professional supervision to building failures and construction defects. Kenya cannot afford to ignore the expertise of thousands of well-trained Technologists, Technicians, Craftsmen, and Artisans,” said Mahmoud.