Nairobi High Court suspends IEK nominations for Engineers Board

The High Court in Nairobi has issued conservatory orders suspending the nomination process for members of the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). Justice Gregory Mutai halted the exercise initiated by the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) following an application by Francis Awino.

The petitioner alleges that the nomination process, launched via an Expression of Interest on August 25, 2026, may have been initiated without formal authorization from the newly elected IEK Council, which assumed office on August 19. Awino argued that the rapid timeline posed a risk of the process being completed before the court could rule on its legality.

The court order prohibits the IEK, its council, and its representatives from shortlisting, selecting, or forwarding names to the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport. Additionally, the Cabinet Secretary is restrained from approving, appointing, or gazetting any individuals selected through this disputed process until the matter is resolved. The exercise concerns three EBK Board positions reserved for IEK nominees as stipulated under the Engineers Act.