On 2nd August, 2016, the President of Kenya Honorable Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday assented on the Engineering Technology Bill 2016 into law.
The Engineering Technology Act 2016 will regulate, standardize the practices of all engineering technicians and technologists.
The new Act must be adhered to by applicants seeking a practicing licence before practicing in Kenya. The Act creates an Engineering Technologists and Technicians Registration Board. It issues licenses to all qualified persons.
The Board will use its power to enter construction sites for inspection of installations, renovation, erection, alteration, processing, maintenance and manufacturing processes. This will ensure that engineering professional services are only provided by registered practitioners as stipulated by the act.
The Board will also make sure that professional ethics and standards are observed to the letter in accordance to Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007.
The members of the board will not require permission to enter premises where construction is on-going (unfettered powers). Any contravention of the Act will lead to suspension of the works, installation and services which do not meet the set standards.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Justin Muturi presented the Bill to the president for assent. The following were witnesses during the signing ceremony: Head of Public Service, Clerk of the National Assembly, Majority Leader, Bomet County Women representative and Solicitor General.
The Engineering Technologists and Technicians Bill 2015 was proposed by Hon. Cecilia Ngetich. The regulation of technologists and technicians is in line with the global best practices and it is in line with the Dublin and Sydney Accords. The United States, United Kingdom, South and Africa and Malaysia operate different registers for technicians, engineers and technologists. This is not a new concept in Kenya’s medical profession where doctors, dentists, pharmacists and physiotherapists are regulated by different bodies for quality purposes.
The engineers will be regulated by the Engineering Act which created the Engineering Board of Kenya. Therefore, the new act will regulate technologists and technicians.
This Engineering technology Act 2016 will protect the technicians and technologists from exploitation by contractors in terms of remunerations and other labor practices. Secondly, it will promote uniformity and quality services.
The Engineering Technologists and Technicians Registration Board will perform the following functions:
Issue licences
Handle disciplinary measures
Enter and inspect construction sites
Assess, approve or reject engineering technologists qualifications for foreigners intending to offer engineering technology services in Kenya.
Set standards for engineering technologists
conduct professional examinations on engineering technologies
It is important to note that, if you are offering engineering technologist or technician services and you are not licensed then you are committing an offense. Make sure you are complaint under the new law.
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