Transport Principal Secretary says country has shortage of engineers

By TOBIAS CHANJI

The Government in conjunction with the Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) will start registration of engineering graduate students.

This move is aimed at hastening the process of permitting them to practice in a bid to address the shortage of engineers in the country.

Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure John Musonik Thursday revealed that every year over 700 engineering students graduate, but it takes them between 5-8 years to be registered as professionals.

“Kenya has about 5,000 graduate engineers yet only 1,400 are registered professionals. We want to do everything possible to bridge this gap,” he said.

 The IEK chairman, Julius Riungu, said the number of engineers in the country is not enough to cater for demands from the 47 counties.

 He said the sector has a shortage of 40 per cent engineers hence the need to bring in graduate students.

 “By registering graduate engineers, we are looking at innovative ways to see that rural areas are developed,” Riungu said.

The two were speaking at the Leisure Lodge Resort in Kwale County yesterday during an ongoing three-day 21st Engineers International Conference organised by the IEK.