The government has made deliberate efforts in minimizing the climate change impacts, as demonstrated by Kenya’s participation in the UN 2015 summit which established the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 12 Development (SDGs) with 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Alice Wahome, Cabinet Secretary, Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, stated this at the opening of the 29th IEK Engineering Convention, which was organized by the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, Diani, Kwale County.
The ongoing convention brought together around 3,000 Engineers from all over the country to discuss engineering sustainability in light of climate change.
She noted that the 13Th SDG goal focuses on climate and “as a country, we have several initiatives that are currently underway, including focusing on construction of 100 dams through Public Private Partnership (PPP).”
CS Wahome stated earlier this month that the government had signed a framework agreement to collaborate on the development sustainable green industries in Kenya with a foreign investor. The investor will produce 30 GW green hydrogen in Kenya.
She challenged the convention’s resolve to come up tangible and actionable items to help the country meet this global challenge.
“I want to urge all players in infrastructure development, be they investors, county governments, private sector, contractors, or the general public to engage professionalism at all levels of the value chain,” said the CS.
Wahome directed the national construction authority, Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), Board of Registered Architect and Quantity Surveyors and security teams to work together and ensure a multiagency approach to compliance enforcement.
She stated that her Ministry would examine the issues raised by the engineering profession, such as the enhancement of technical capability in public service and county government to ensure that engineering functions are managed by Professional engineers.
Erustus Mwongera (EBK Chairman) urged engineers not to neglect professional responsibility at any stage of delivering engineering projects.
Mwongera also urged developers to only hire qualified engineers and to enter into contracts where their roles and responsibilities were clearly defined.
The Chairman also mentioned that the Board is creating sector-specific Graduate Engineers training curricula. He commends KeNHA to having developed one for highways engineering. Board plans to roll it out within the next three month.
“I urge all prospective students to ensure they enroll in engineering degree courses that have been recognized by the Board. I also urge our universities to offer engineering degree courses that have been recognized by the Board as this will ensure that graduate engineers are fit for industry and can contribute effectively to the rapid development of our economies,” added Mwongera.
He stated that in a span of seven years from 2015 – 2022, over 105 buildings have collapsed claiming the lives of 142 people and injuring more than 310 others. The economic losses resulting from the collapse of buildings are estimated to be Sh3 billion.
The conference ends Friday after five days of work. It aims to come up with solutions that can be implemented in engineering, education, and research to mitigate the adverse effects of climate changes locally and globally.
Catherine Muindi
Source: kenyanews
