IEK Unveils 31st International Convention Focused on Industrialization and Economic Growth

By Judith Okongo On Oct 23, 2024

IEK president Eng. Shammah Kiteme together with Ministry of Water and sanitation Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa

By Shadrack Nyakoe

The Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has announced its 31st International Convention, set to take place from October 29 to November 1, 2024, at PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort in Shanzu, Mombasa County.

The convention, themed “Industrialization for Economic Transformation and Employment Creation,” will gather leading engineers, policymakers, and industry leaders from Kenya and beyond to discuss strategies for leveraging industrialization to drive economic growth, generate jobs, and position Kenya as a leader in Africa’s industrial landscape.

At the media launch, Eng. Eric Mugaa, Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, emphasized the central role of engineers in Kenya’s development, highlighting innovation and technology as key drivers of economic transformation.

“Engineers are catalysts for development. From water infrastructure to large-scale industrial projects, engineering enables progress,” he stated, reinforcing the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure critical to agriculture and economic growth.

IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme underscored the importance of industrialization in driving economic growth, noting that the manufacturing sector’s contribution to Kenya’s GDP has decreased from 9.2% in 2015 to 7.7% today. He pointed to Vision 2030’s goal of increasing this to 15% by 2030 through effective policies and investments, advocating for a shift from net importing to net exporting by promoting local production.

Eng. Erastus K. Mwongera, Chairman of the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), spoke about aligning Kenya’s engineering standards with global best practices through the Washington Accord and highlighted the success of the Graduate Engineers Internship Program (GEIP), which has integrated over 700 engineers into the workforce.

The convention expects to attract over 3,000 delegates, fostering dialogue, networking, and innovations to shape Kenya’s industrial future.