Help us build quality affordable homes, Gachagua tells engineers

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked engineers to work with the Ruto administration in delivering quality homes under the Affordable Housing programme.

Speaking when he officially opened the 30th Institution of Engineers of Kenya Convention and the 18th World Council of Engineers at the Pride Inn Beach Resort, Mombasa, the Deputy President said the implementation of the Affordable Housing Pillar under the Kenya Kwanza Plan is an opportunity to improve the life of the people, and therefore, quality of the construction is key.

“I urge the engineers to fully participate in the Affordable Housing programme. I ask you to help us maintain standards for quality and posterity, “ Gachagua said.

The Deputy President said the safety of the one million housing units that the government plans to construct by 2027 requires diverse engineering experts.

“Your place is set in dignifying Kenyans with decent housing and creating jobs,” he said.

The Deputy President raised concerns over the collapse of buildings and roads due to poor quality, linked to unqualified engineers. He called on the Engineers Board of Kenya to weed out quacks to protect the integrity of the profession saying only qualified and certified professionals must be allowed to work.

Protect your profession

“Tighten the self-regulation and surveillance mechanisms and get rid of people infiltrating your profession. You must protect your profession,” Gachagua said.

He further said the government is taking measures to bridge the about 7,000 demand gap for engineers in the country for development.

One such way is the allocation of more than Sh628 billion shillings -more than 27.4 per cent of the current budget- to the Education Sector to facilitate full implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum, which emphasises nurturing skill and talent towards the learner’s profession of choice, alongside reforms of t funding model for tertiary learning institutions.

Through scholarships and exchange programmes, the Deputy President said, Kenya will continue sending students and young practitioners abroad to build and enhance local expertise to drive sustainable development.

Gachagua challenged the engineers to invest in improving and updating their skills.