The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has petitioned the judiciary to compel the Public Service Commission (PSC) to issue improved terms of service for engineers working in the civil service.
In a statement released by IEK President Engineer Shammah Kiteme on Thursday, the institution disclosed that it had filed a case at the court seeking judicial intervention after lengthy but unproductive negotiations with the PSC.
Among the key demands in the petition is the improvement of the entry-level grade for engineers from the current Civil Service Grade (CSG) 10 to CSG 9, to reflect the level of training, responsibility, and contribution engineers make to the nation.
IEK is also pushing for the inclusion of risk allowance and non-practising allowance for engineers working in government, arguing that these benefits are already extended to other professionals like lawyers and doctors.
According to the engineers, the court action is a culmination of consultations that began on December 15, 2022, when IEK initiated dialogue with PSC, where a formal proposal was submitted in March 2023, backed by comparative studies of employment terms across various professions in the public sector.
The proposal revealed glaring disparities between engineers and their professional counterparts, with engineers reportedly subjected to long-standing labour injustices. The IEK stated that these disparities continue to demotivate professionals in the engineering field.
According to IEK, in September 2023, it held a two-day retreat in Mombasa with participation from the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board (KETRB), and the Institution of Engineering Technologists (IET). The PSC was represented by a director and commissioner.
Following the retreat, two additional meetings were held with PSC in May 2024 and May 2025. However, the IEK claims PSC failed to take action in favour of engineers, instead issuing a circular in July 2025 granting lawyers in civil service a non-practising allowance.
Frustrated by what it calls the PSC’s intransigence, the IEK Council opted to escalate the matter to court. The case seeks a directive that would force PSC to acknowledge and rectify the disparity in employment terms.
“It is our hope that the courts will grant the petition and allow engineers to enjoy fair and just employment terms, just like other professionals,” said Eng Kiteme.
He added that IEK remains committed to advocating for the rights and welfare of engineers in Kenya and will pursue all legal means to ensure justice is served.
The case now awaits direction from the judiciary as engineers across the country follow the proceedings with anticipation.
