Young graduates in various engineering courses have been asked to register with the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) to get mentorship among other assistance to grow their careers.
The chairperson of IEK central Kenya branch Hannah Njeri has observed that many graduates are yet to register with the institution, thus unable to access proper guidance and mentorship in their profession.
The institution, Njeri noted, currently has a membership of about 9000 and young graduates are shying off from joining the professional body.
She observed a section of young graduate engineers take a long before securing jobs, since they don’t get guidance and mentorship about their careers.
Njeri spoke on Monday during a tree planting occasion to mark Worlds Engineering Day at Maragua Dam, an event that was organized by Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco) and which brought together students pursuing various engineering courses.
She underscored the assistance the IEK provides to young engineers as they embark on securing employment locally and internationally.
“The institution has helped many young engineers to secure jobs, and internships and also access professional litigation in arbitration of any case they may face in their line of work.
“IEK also has a benevolent package for the members and for those willing to work outside the country, we can connect them to engineers working in foreign countries.” Explained the chairperson.
Njeri further challenged engineers to ensure they engage in programmes that are in tandem with their profession and that help Kenyans solve challenges they are facing in their daily lives.
“The work of engineers is to provide solutions. Let them engage in programmes that solve issues being faced by the communities such as climate change,” she added.
On his part, Muwasco managing director Eng. Daniel Ng’ang’a promised that his firm would partner with the IEK and local universities to help in mentoring young engineers.
Ng’ang’a observed that senior engineers have a responsibility to mentor younger professionals to ensure there is no gap in the future.
“Muwasco will enter into partnership with IEK and some local universities to help in providing internship and mentorship to students pursuing engineering courses. This will ensure those graduating have the right skills needed to spur the economic growth of this country,” he noted.
During the occasion, more than 2,000 tree seedlings were planted on the banks of the Sh.800 million dam that will provide 18 million litres of water to Maragua residents daily.
When the rainy season starts later this month, Ng’ang’a said about 5,000 more seedlings will be distributed to farmers living near the dam and along the Maragua and Irati rivers that drain into the reservoir.
Muwasco, he added, operates a nursery at its Kandundu sewerage treatment plant that it uses to rehabilitate wetlands within its area of jurisdiction.
The water company took over management of the dam three weeks ago after President William Ruto made a decree that ended a four-year battle with Murang’a South Water and Sanitation Company (Muswasco).
Gachocho senior chief Eliud Chege appealed to the company to consider fencing the dam saying local boys have been spending their holidays swimming in it, especially during dry seasons.
“This dam borders Gachocho, Yamugwe and Gathera villages and is far too wide and deep. We don’t want to see people jumping into it to commit suicide like with other dams,” he stated.
By Bernard Munyao and Purity Mugo
