The profession continues to grapple with low enrolment of women in STEM programmes The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) - chairperson of the caretaker committee, Hillary Nyaanga addressing the press during the Second Women Engineers Summit in Nakuru /HANDOUT Women engineers have been challenged to take a leading role in designing innovative solutions that will shape Kenya's future, as the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) officially opened the Second Women Engineers Summit in Nakuru.
Held under the theme "Advancing Smart Intelligent Engineering Solutions for a Resilient Future," the summit brought together engineers, policymakers, academia, industry leaders, development partners and students to discuss the role of engineering in accelerating Kenya's development while advancing gender inclusion within the profession.
Speaking on behalf of the First Lady, Rachel Ruto, Chief of Staff Mary Mwende said Kenya's ambitions in affordable housing, food security, universal access to clean energy, digital transformation and climate resilience would only be realised through engineering excellence and innovation.
"The future is not something we inherit. It is something we engineer. As Artificial Intelligence advances, as smart cities emerge, as robotics reshape industries and as data becomes the world's new currency, do not only ask, 'What can technology do for our profession?' Ask, 'What should technology do for society?' Because innovation without humanity is incomplete," she said.
Mwende noted that engineering quietly underpins everyday life, from clean water and roads to energy and digital infrastructure, yet often goes unnoticed unless systems fail. She encouraged young women to reject stereotypes and pursue engineering careers with confidence.
"Do not wait for conditions to change. Do not allow stereotypes to become ceilings. If someone tells you there is no place for women in engineering, just smile and build the future for yourself. Somewhere another girl is watching you, and your courage will become her confidence." IEK Caretaker Committee Chairperson Hillary Nyaanga said engineering remains central to Kenya's economic transformation and that the country cannot achieve its development ambitions without a competent, ethical and inclusive engineering workforce.
He noted that rapid urbanisation, climate change, digital transformation and artificial intelligence are reshaping the engineering profession, requiring engineers to combine technical excellence with innovation and ethical leadership. "Our growing cities require well-planned transport, housing, water, sanitation, energy and digital systems.
These outcomes will depend not only on investment but also on the quality of engineering judgement applied at every stage."