Road engineers have been challenged to find creative and innovative ways to ensure all-weather roads can survive longer to save the country wastage in budgetary allocations for continuous maintenance.
Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor, (DG) Engineer John Barorot, while flagging off World Engineering Day celebrations for the North Rift chapter in Eldoret town, said the country has been incurring losses in the construction of murram roads that do not last long.
“Our universities should team up with civil road engineers, and other engineering disciplines to research on possible long-term murram roads. Though there has been improved tarmacking of roads in the country, we have to be realistic that not all roads across the country can be tarmacked hence the need for our engineers to come up with what can be done to make long-lasting all-weather roads,” said the DG.
The deputy governor noted that engineers play a crucial role in providing solutions to societal challenges and emphasized the need for them to uphold professionalism in the industry to curb incidences of buildings collapsing due to quality concerns.
“As an engineer, your work should never be questioned, you must adhere to professionalism and integrity when designing or supervising projects since this is the only way to address the issue of quacks in the industry,” added Barorot.
Eng. Barorot expressed satisfaction with the milestones made that have led to a gradual increase in the number of female engineers in the country and urged more women to venture into the profession.
Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Youth Affairs, Sports ICT and Innovation Eng. Lucy Ng’endo and Chief of Staff Nicholas Chepkwony challenged the engineers to come up with innovations aimed at addressing issues of climate change while undertaking structural projects.
The Institution of Engineers of Kenya North Rift Region Chairperson Eng. Patrick Otuoma pledged to support County engineers in providing solutions to challenges that may arise as Eldoret town gears up for elevation to city status.
Meanwhile, the county government has signed a memorandum of understanding, (MOU) with the International Community of Women Living with HIV and AIDS (ICWK) to reinforce strategies that will enhance medical attention to victims of HIV/AIDS in Uasin Uasin Gishu County.
County Executive Committee Member, CECM, for Health services Dr. Sam Kotut said Governor Jonathan Bii’s government was committed to providing quality medical services to the residents of the county to foster human development.
“We are focused and keen on HIV matters in our county, therefore we are going to bring on board those who may have abandoned their medication,” says Dr. Kotut.
The ICW-Kenya is a national network run by and for women living with HIV and AIDS in Kenya and it was registered in 2012, as a non-governmental organization (NGO).
A representative who signed the MOU on behalf of the organization, Christine Makumi said the main objective and focus area of the network was to champion the interests of women living with HIV in Kenya to improve their lives and ensure they realize human rights and dignity.
By Kiptanui Cherono
