The recent appointment of Aisha Jumwa as Chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board (KRB) has sparked debate over its compliance with the Kenya Roads Board Act No. 7 of 1999 (Rev. 2023).

Gazette Notice No. 395, dated January 17, 2025, formalised her non-executive position.

However, the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has raised concerns about adherence to statutory requirements.

According to the Act, the Board’s composition must include “a non-executive chairman to be appointed by the President from among the members appointed under paragraph (h).”

Paragraph (h) specifies five members representing organisations listed in the First Schedule of the Act, such as the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, the Automobile Association of Kenya, and the Kenya Transport Association.

Read More

  1. Convention pushes for a greater role by engineers in Kenya's economic growth
  2. Heavy rains prompt NTSA and KTA to issue urgent road safety advisories
  3. Standoff looms as local firms threaten action over KPA's Last-Mile delivery plan

Jumwa’s appointment, however, does not align with this provision as she is not a representative of any of these bodies.

IEK President, Eng. Shammah Kiteme, argued that the KRB’s core mandate of overseeing road development, maintenance, and infrastructure management demands technical expertise.

“Given the technical nature of the Board’s responsibilities, an engineering professional with a background in civil, structural, or transport engineering would be better suited to lead the Board,” Kiteme noted in a statement.

The IEK emphasised the integral role of engineering in KRB’s operations, which include setting road construction standards, advising on road conditions, and ensuring project efficiency.

“Appointing an engineer as the chairperson would align with the Act’s spirit by reflecting the technical importance of engineering knowledge within the leadership of the Board,” Kiteme said.

The IEK has called for the immediate revocation of Jumwa’s appointment and urged the government to comply with the legal framework.

“We therefore call for immediate revocation of the appointment of Hon. Aisha Jumwa Katana as KRB Chair and the appointment of a suitably qualified Chair in compliance with the law,” Kiteme’s statement concluded.

The controversy highlights broader concerns about compliance with statutory provisions in public appointments and the need for professional expertise in key infrastructural bodies.

Whether the government will heed IEK’s demands remains to be seen, but the outcome is certain to shape the future of the KRB and its operations.