Registrar Endorses IEK Caretaker Committee as Open Letter Urges President Kiteme to Hand Over

The Office of the Attorney-General and Department of Justice has given its official endorsement to the caretaker committee formed by the Institution of Engineers of Kenya.

In a letter dated 28 May 2026, Registrar of Societies Teresia Gathagu confirmed the committee’s establishment. She noted the ongoing crisis stemming from the lack of a validly constituted IEK council. The registrar stated that the resolutions passed at the Special General Meeting on 21 May 2026 align with the need for continued operations and a smooth transition.

The nine-member caretaker committee consists of Eng. Hillary Nyaanga as chairperson, Eng. Muguru Wairimu as secretary, Eng. Fanuel Mwashigadi as treasurer, Eng. Jane Mutulili, Eng. Kennedy Wamalwa, Eng. David Mutonga, Eng. Stanley Musau, Eng. Margaret Ogai, and Eng. Lilian Ogombo as members.

Gathagu’s letter sets out clear terms of reference. The committee must take charge of daily operations and administrative affairs. It is required to safeguard the institution’s assets and financial records. Engagement with key partners, including the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), must continue so that member services remain uninterrupted. The committee is to act with impartiality and uphold the IEK Constitution 2015. Regular updates to the registrar every three months, or as needed, are mandatory.

It must also file a response on behalf of IEK in Kiambu High Court Petition E009 of 2026. Once that petition is resolved, the caretaker committee will oversee preparations for fair elections to constitute the new 2026/2028 council. Those elections must comply with both the court directives and the operative 2015 constitution.

The registrar further granted the recall of the 2025 amended draft constitution. The move follows an objection raised by a section of members during its earlier submission for approval and registration. As a result, the 2015 constitution remains the governing document.

The caretaker committee itself communicated directly with members, partners and stakeholders on 29 May 2026. Signed by Eng. Hillary Nyaanga, the notice reiterated the same appointments and terms of reference. It emphasised continued cooperation during the transition period.

Against this backdrop, Eng. Howard M’mayi, who was instrumental in convening the SGM, addressed an open letter to IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme. M’mayi noted that members had elected Kiteme for the 2024-2026 term and had supported him throughout. He acknowledged the scorecard of achievements shared by the president and the positive reactions it received.

M’mayi described the Special General Meeting on 21 May as peaceful, cordial and transparent, with proceedings streamed live. He pointed out that the resolutions were duly communicated and filed with the regulator, which has now responded in writing.

In the letter, M’mayi makes a direct appeal. He asks Kiteme to reach out to Eng. Nyaanga without delay. The suggested step is a meeting, possibly as early as Tuesday morning, between the president’s team, the caretaker committee and secretariat leadership at Top Plaza. The purpose would be a cordial discussion on transition arrangements, followed by a formal handover. M’mayi argues that such a move would give the entire fraternity a much-needed lifeline.

The latest exchanges represent the most concrete steps yet toward resolving the leadership vacuum at IEK. Council elections remain suspended pending the outcome of the Kiambu High Court case. The caretaker committee’s mandate is strictly transitional, focused on stability until a new elected council takes office.

IEK serves as the professional body for engineers in Kenya. Its operations directly affect standards, member services and engagement on major infrastructure matters across the construction sector. Continuity in administration and asset protection during this interim phase have therefore drawn close attention from members and partners alike.

Both the registrar’s letter and the caretaker committee’s notice stress impartiality and adherence to the 2015 constitution. The open letter from M’mayi adds a public call for cooperation between the outgoing leadership and the interim body. Whether the president responds quickly will determine how swiftly normal institutional functions resume.