President William Ruto has challenged engineers in the country to develop energy-efficient innovations in the transport sector and enhance e-mobility.
The President said Kenya has an opportunity in the global energy transition by producing innovations for green energy production and efficient technologies.
Speaking during the 4th engineering partnership convention in Naivasha, Ruto said the professionals should exploit the emerging opportunities for innovation and make a contribution to national socio-economic transformation.
"The vision of a young, clean and green continent has you in mind and you have no choice but to rise to the occasion," he said.
While underlining their impact in various sectors which include the construction of 16,000 kilometres of low-volume seal roads, the head of State said his administration requires engineers' expertise in implementing programmes and projects under its agenda.
"I make this call for a very considered reason: Engineering is vital for national economic growth and development," he said.
During the event, Ruto also commissioned the 4th cohort of the graduate engineers’ Internship Programme.
It is designed to accelerate professional training and cut the time required to qualify as an engineer from 7-12 years to only three years.
Ruto also gave an undertaking that the government will scale up the programme from its current enrolment of 120 to 500 trainees in the next financial year.
This, he said, is in recognition of the need for a transforming economy.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) and the Korean Professional Engineering Association to promote collaboration projects was also signed.
To support the professionals, Ruto revealed plans to establish a Kenya School of Engineering to help in “delivery of high quality engineering capacity”.
"It should no longer be possible for projects to employ unqualified people or to proceed without employing an engineer altogether. Qualified engineers must supervise building works from the commencement to completion," Ruto said.
Present during the event were Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, Senator Tabitha Karanja among several others.
President Ruto further endorsed Kenya’s bid to accede to the Washington Accord under the International Engineering Alliance.
