The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) on Monday held a peaceful march in Nairobi to protest what it describes as the unfair treatment of local engineers by foreign firms.
The march kicked off at the institution’s offices along Kindaruma Road, with engineers carrying placards and chanting for change.
IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme said the march seeks to draw attention to cases where Kenyan engineers are underpaid, sidelined, or denied opportunities that are instead awarded to foreigners.
“The purpose of this march is to raise public debate and present a petition to authorities regarding foreign firms underpaying and misusing Kenyan engineers. It also addresses the issue of opportunities that Kenyan engineers are capable of handling being given to other nationals against the law,” said Eng. Kiteme.
Kiteme added that foreign expertise should only be brought in when local talent is unavailable.
“We only have expertise imported from outside when we cannot get it locally. We appreciate the available existing enforceable laws that can achieve all this, so we are not talking a strange language. We know the relevant agencies of government working with parliament should be able to make sure that these laws are implemented,” he said.
As part of the protest, the engineers presented a petition to the office of the President, the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also serves as Foreign Affairs CS, the Ministry of Interior and the Labor Cabinet Secretary.
The umbrella body is now rallying its members to amplify the call for fair labor practices, saying it’s time Kenya’s engineers get the recognition and opportunities they deserve at home.
