Institution of Engineers Rejects Appointment of Aisha Jumwa to Chair Kenya Roads Board

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) on Monday, January 27, rejected the recent appointment of Aisha Jumwa as the chair of the Kenya Roads Board. (KRB).

Through a statement, IEK stated that Jumwa’s appointment failed to meet the stipulated regulations as outlined in the Kenya Roads Board Act no.7 in regard to the appointment process.

“We (IEK) call for immediate revocation of the appointment of Hon. Aisha Jumwa Katana as KRB Chair and the appointment of a suitably qualified Chair in compliance with the law,” IEK averred.

IEK argued that Jumwa did not have the requisite qualifications to head the Board, noting she did not have any background in civil, structural, or transport engineering that would align her well with the responsibilities of heading the Board.

Furthermore, the engineering body criticised the nature of her appointment, noting that it contravened the guidelines stipulated in the First Schedule of the Kenya Roads Board (KRB) Act.

“The Act mandates that the non-executive chairperson be appointed from among the members nominated by the organisations listed in the First Schedule. However, Hon. Aisha Jumwa Katana does not represent any of these organisations, raising questions about the adherence to statutory provisions in her appointment,” IEK stated.

According to the First Schedule, the organisations mandated to nominate the chair of KRB are the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, the Automobile Association of Kenya, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya, and the Kenya Transport Association.

IEK highlighted the importance of KRB in road maintenance across the country as a significant concern, emphasising that the role requires a highly skilled individual with expertise in the technical functions of KRB.

“KRB is heavily involved in engineering work, such as overseeing the condition of roads, advising on road construction standards, and ensuring that projects are carried out effectively from a technical standpoint,” IEK noted.

“Thus, an individual with hands-on engineering experience would possess the necessary skills and insights to lead the Board in achieving these objectives,” it added.

Highlighting their concern, the engineering association emphasized the need for compliance with the law to ensure operations of important bodies such as KRB are streamlined and of the required standard.

“To ensure that the leadership of KRB is in line with its legal framework and technical requirements, it is recommended that appointments consider individuals with relevant professional backgrounds,” IEK posited.  

“This would not only strengthen KRB’s capacity to address engineering and infrastructure challenges but also enhance its credibility in overseeing projects that require technical expertise,” the association asserted.