Eng. Shammah Kiteme, President IEK (left) and Makueni County Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior (right) during the signing of MOU
The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Makueni County Government to foster collaboration on infrastructure development, technical cooperation, and promotion of engineering standards across the county.
The signing ceremony, held in Makueni, brought together IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme and Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior, along with a delegation of engineers including Eng. Lilian Kilel, Eng. Damaris Oyaro, Eng. Hanna Njeeri, Eng. Yvonne Robert, and IEK’s PR & Partnerships Secretary Mr. Anvar Alot.
The MoU marks a significant step toward enhancing quality assurance, compliance, and sustainable infrastructure within the devolved unit. It outlines mutual commitments in capacity building, standardization of engineering practices, and joint technical engagements to address construction challenges.
Eng. Kiteme emphasized IEK’s strategic intent to work closely with counties through the Council of Governors (CoG), saying: “We are deliberately engaging counties because we understand the devolved structure empowers them to implement key infrastructure projects. This partnership ensures we bring professional engineering input to the grassroots, guaranteeing quality and safety in public works.”
He also highlighted the importance of the newly launched Site Inspection Handbook, a collaborative effort between IEK, CoG, and the National Construction Authority (NCA), aimed at standardizing construction practices across all 47 counties.
“The Site Inspection Handbook is a vital tool to curb the malpractices in the construction industry and improve safety. It’s time we ensured every county adopts it to assure quality and safeguard public interest,” he added.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior welcomed the partnership as a timely boost to the county’s development agenda.
“This is an opportunity I have been seeking—to tap into the vast expertise of engineers to guide our projects and ensure professionalism in all areas of construction.”
He noted that the MoU will not only benefit ongoing infrastructure projects but also support local engineers in Makueni in upgrading their skills and certifications.
“Our engineers will now have access to professional development support from IEK, which is critical for improving technical capacity within the county,” said Governor Kilonzo.
He further revealed that IEK’s involvement will be crucial in resolving a technical dispute concerning the ongoing affordable housing project in the county. The Governor requested IEK’s expert input to assess the quality of materials and provide an independent report to guide cabinet decisions.
“We want to ensure all public projects—whether it’s a cold room, a road, or a housing unit—meet national and international standards. When public funds are spent, there must be value for money and safety for users,” he affirmed.
Governor Kilonzo also urged other counties to adopt similar partnerships with IEK to address the growing concern of substandard buildings and collapsed structures nationwide.
The IEK-Makueni MoU is expected to set a precedent for professional technical engagement in counties, helping bridge the gap between policy, engineering standards, and implementation. With engineers playing a critical role in national development, the collaboration signifies a united front in promoting resilience, quality control, and engineering excellence across Kenya.