IEK Caretaker Committee Moves to Freeze Outgoing Council's Bank Operations

MMB Law Advocates, acting on instructions from the Caretaker Committee of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), sent formal demand letters dated June 15 to Standard Chartered Bank and to advocates for outgoing president Eng. Shammah Kiteme.

The letters call for implementation of resolutions from the May 21 Special General Meeting. That SGM appointed the Caretaker Committee to manage IEK affairs after the outgoing council’s term ended in April 2026.

In the notice to Acorn Advocates, the lawyers demand that Eng. Shammah Kiteme stop holding himself out as president. They argue the SGM represented members exercising their authority over the institution. The letters describe the IEK rules as a contract of association among members, citing legal principles on voluntary organisations where the rule book functions as a quasi-legislative code binding all parties.

A separate letter addressed to the bank’s Kenyatta Avenue branch seeks an immediate halt to operations by outgoing council signatories. It directs recognition of only the Caretaker Committee’s chairman, secretary and treasurer for the accounts.

It also requests a transaction statement from May 21 and a written explanation within 24 hours. The communication warns of potential liability for any unauthorised transactions. It invokes the bank’s fiduciary duties and references principles from cases such as Selangor United Rubber Estates on constructive trusts, while likening the position of the outgoing officials to that of a trespasser after an expired lease.

These demands were issued on the same day the Kiambu High Court issued directions in the ongoing petition by graduate engineer Sam Aberi Okemwa against the IEK and its president. Justice Bahati Mwamuye ordered that key filings, including recent letters and applications from both sides, be placed before Lady Justice Dorah Chepkwony for substantive directions.

The court further directed a mention before Justice Chepkwony on June 19 for further guidance. The case number is HCCHRPET/E009/2026.

A High Court order on June 4 had previously suspended implementation of the May 21 SGM resolutions pending hearings. The June 17 judgment in the broader constitutional matters remains anticipated.

The IEK serves as a key professional body for engineers involved in Kenya’s expanding construction and infrastructure sectors. The leadership impasse continues to generate uncertainty.

Members have voiced frustration over the prolonged dispute. The Caretaker Committee maintains its mandate stems directly from the SGM decisions.

Stakeholders in the sector are following the developments. The upcoming court mention on June 19 could shape the next steps in the governance row.