Harrison Keter elected new IEK President

Eng. Harrison Keter has been elected President of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), taking over the leadership of the country's premier engineering body with a pledge to strengthen the profession's role in shaping Kenya's infrastructure and economic development.

Keter was elected on August 3, 2026, to lead the IEK Council for the 2026–2028 term after serving as the institution's First Vice President. He succeeds Eng. Shammah Kiteme, who served as IEK President from 2024 to 2026.

His election comes at a time when Kenya is pursuing major infrastructure investments while seeking new financing models, stronger local participation and greater technical capacity in project delivery.

An engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the energy sector, Keter has expertise in electromechanical engineering, project management and renewable energy technologies.

In his first address after taking office, Keter identified the full constitution of the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) as one of his administration's immediate priorities, saying the regulator must be fully operational to facilitate the registration of engineers and strengthen professional oversight.

"One of our immediate priorities is to engage government and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the Engineers Board of Kenya is fully constituted. A functional Board is critical to the regulation of our profession, the timely registration of engineers and the effective discharge of its statutory mandate. We want to see these processes move with the urgency they deserve," he said.

Keter also pledged to champion greater participation of Kenyan engineers, consultants and contractors in projects financed through the National Infrastructure Fund, arguing that the investments should help build local expertise alongside physical infrastructure.

"The National Infrastructure Fund presents a significant opportunity to transform Kenya's infrastructure financing landscape, but we must ensure that this investment also builds Kenyan capacity. Local engineers, consultants, contractors and engineering firms must have a meaningful place in the projects financed through the Fund," he said.

"Infrastructure development should leave behind not only roads, bridges and energy projects, but also stronger Kenyan enterprises, skills, technology and jobs," he added.

The new IEK President said the institution will advocate for engineers to play a greater role in project planning, financing, governance and implementation, positioning the profession as a key contributor to Kenya's development agenda.

Keter will be supported by Eng. Howard A. M'mayi as First Vice President, Eng. John Robert as Second Vice President, Eng. Grace Kagondu as Honorary Secretary and Eng. Ingaiza Murambi as Honorary Treasurer.

 Other elected council members are Eng. Yvonne Robert, Eng. Damaris K. Oyaro, Eng. Dennis Barongo, Eng. Patrick O. Otuoma, Eng. Nashon Tambo and Eng. James Nyabuto.