A group of young engineers stormed the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) offices at Fortis Suites in Parklands.
In videos seen by The Kenya Times the youth were gathered outside the office armed with placards and cellphones.
Additionally, they were chanting ‘Make engineering better again’ as they lamented about poor pay despite their hard work.
The Engineers Board of Kenya is a regulatory body established under Section 3(1) of the engineers Act 2011 to succeed the Engineers Registration Board (ERB).
One of the protestors led in the chants while others respondent with shouts in agreement.
“I went to primary school… I went to high school… I passed… I wanted to study engineering. I went for attachment; I am not row in the market… I demand better pay,” he said while the other protestors joined in.
At the same time, the protestors lamented that they earned Ksh25,000, which they said was too little, especially after the investment made by their parents to ensure they get a good education.
“What is 25,000. My parents used millions to take me to school. How much will it take me to get to one million, when I am being paid Ksh25,000,” added the protestors.
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Kenyans React Following Protest by Engineers
The move by the young engineers sparked mixed reactions from Kenyans online who shared the concern that they are underpaid.
According to Remain Aman, the board is supposed to ensure that graduates get internships. However, they have instead mismanaged funds for such provisions.
“This is a well-advised move. According to Engineers Act 2011, article 7(q), the board is mandated with facilitating the internship for graduate engineers. But they’re only interested in our subscription money,” he stated.
Furthermore, Kay Musyoka added that the engineers went through several years of education but still remain jobless.
“You go through 5 years of training, work in the industry for years but they will make it hell for you to register. Why? Most of them have really rusted and fear saturating the market with fresh ideas and minds who will drive them out of business,” added the user.
Alos, Benin Mmaculay accused the board of being discriminative when registering engineers, who easily get registrations in other countries.
“This if the worst professional institution in Kenya. They never want to register Engineers even after 10 years of experience. But when the same Engineers go abroad, they perform well, get registered abroad easily and are respected,” he said.
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Medics hold protest Outside Ministry of Health Offices
In a separate incident, Doctors camped outside the Ministry of Health headquarters at Afya House, Nairobi on Monday, July 8, night after a day of protests to persuade the government to pay medical interns in line with the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The medics lit candles and flashlights to continue with the protest into the night despite light showers that was experienced in the city.
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atellah previously said that the union has been holding a series of meetings to implement the return-to-work formula at Kenyatta National Hospital and the Ministry of Health.
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