Engineers Reject Aisha Jumwa’s Appointment as Kenya Roads Board Chair

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has rejected the appointment of Aisha Jumwa as the chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board (KRB), citing non-compliance with the Kenya Roads Board Act No.7.

In a statement released today, IEK called for the immediate revocation of Jumwa’s appointment, arguing that she lacks the required qualifications for the position. The institution pointed out that Jumwa has no background in civil, structural, or transport engineering—key competencies necessary for leading the board.

“The appointment of Hon. Aisha Jumwa Katana does not align with the legal requirements. We urge the government to appoint a qualified individual in compliance with the law,” the statement read.

IEK further noted that Jumwa’s appointment violated the First Schedule of the KRB Act, which mandates that the chairperson be selected from nominees put forward by specific professional bodies, including the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, the Automobile Association of Kenya, and the Kenya Transport Association.

The association stressed the importance of appointing a technically competent leader to oversee KRB’s responsibilities, which include advising on road construction standards and ensuring effective implementation of projects.

“KRB plays a critical role in road maintenance and infrastructure development. It is essential to have leadership with relevant technical expertise to guide its operations effectively,” IEK added.

The engineers’ body called on authorities to ensure adherence to the law when making appointments to critical institutions such as KRB, emphasizing that technical qualifications are vital for efficient service delivery and maintaining public confidence.