Engineers Push for Special General Meeting as IEK Council Term Expires Amid Suspended Elections

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) faces an unprecedented situation. The governing council's two-year term has expired, yet no elections have taken place to install new leadership. Court intervention halted the poll, leaving the professional body in limbo.

A memorandum circulated both physically and via Google Forms seeks member signatures to convene a Special General Meeting. Organisers propose 21 May 2026 as the date. Signature collection closes at noon today.

Member communications have outlined the core challenge. The 2015 constitution makes no provision for a council to continue beyond its term. With elections suspended, the institution must find a member-driven way forward.

The SGM focuses on management issues under Article 11.05 of the constitution rather than constitutional amendments. Discussions will centre on handling the crisis and restoring order. Any constitutional review talks would stick to process questions, not content changes.

Draft motions have drawn varied feedback. Some members suggested including a motion to extend the current council's term. Others called for discussion on a newly registered company under IEK. Questions arose over why the meeting falls under management provisions instead of bylaw changes, and whether a caretaker committee would be constitutional.

Further concerns touched on discussing constitutional issues while court cases are pending. One view proposed limiting the agenda to the annual report and financials only. Another emphasised the need to set the SGM date clearly from communications to current leadership.

The requisitioned SGM targets the immediate leadership gap. The court suspension stems from a petition filed by a graduate engineer alleging discrimination against graduates in the electoral process. The High Court in Kiambu issued conservatory orders halting elections originally scheduled for March 23.

Subsequent developments added uncertainty. The judge assigned to the case set 17 April for judgment but did not appear. The judge's reported transfer to Muranga and the file's disappearance from the cause list have stalled progress.

With no further court communication, members view the SGM as preferable to inaction. Debate is expected to be robust. Supporters and opponents of motions will present their views. Resolutions may come through consensus or majority vote.

Questions have been raised about Graduate Engineers attending SGM or AGM sessions, based on past interpretations of the 2015 constitution that some claimed restricted their participation. The meeting remains open to all members.

The format and conduct of the SGM can be agreed at the start. This marks the first time the institution has confronted an expired council term combined with suspended elections.

Members of all views are encouraged to attend. The gathering aims to produce clear direction on managing the transition back to constitutional normality.

As preparations continue, the proposed date has been included in submission documents. The outcome could set a precedent for how Kenya's engineering professional body navigates governance disputes.