Kenya’s engineering technologists have issued a strong call to Parliament to fully implement the Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board (KETRB) Act, warning that they will down tools if their concerns are ignored.
Speaking during a peaceful procession along Parliament Buildings and Harambee Avenue on Monday, Bibiye Mahmoud, Vice–Chairperson of the Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC), said the Act passed in 2016 remains largely unenforced despite being key to regulating and recognizing the profession.
Mahmoud, who represented the Consolidated Voice of Engineering Technology Professionals, said the group had petitioned several government offices, including the Head of Public Service and the Attorney General, seeking urgent action to operationalize the law.
“This law recognizes our profession and established the Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board (KETRB) to oversee it,” Mahmoud said. “The Supreme Court of Kenya affirmed that Parliament created two distinct regulatory frameworks for the engineering field, yet only one has been effectively implemented.”
The KETRB Act, No. 23 of 2016, was designed to regulate and standardize the work of engineering technologists and technicians, particularly in the construction and infrastructure sectors. However, the group says the Board lacks a proper structure and sufficient funding to fulfill its mandate.
According to Mahmoud, the delayed implementation has stalled professional growth and denied technologists fair participation in major national projects.
“Our members are facing challenges in career progression, job recognition, and professional licensing,” she added. “If the government fails to act, we will have no choice but to consider industrial action.”
The professionals emphasized that the recognition of engineering technologists is crucial for improving standards, safety, and innovation in Kenya’s infrastructure development.
