A Kenyan court has issued an order suspending the recruitment of 27 road engineers by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA). The ruling, delivered by Justice Jairus Ngaah at the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi, halts the process pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by the Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board (KETRB).
The KETRB's lawsuit alleges that KeNHA's recruitment advertisement, which called for graduate engineers and excluded engineering technologists, was discriminatory and violated constitutional principles of equality and fair competition. The board argues this practice sidelines a significant portion of qualified professionals in the sector.
This legal action is part of a broader, ongoing dispute between graduate engineers and engineering technologists in Kenya regarding recognition, job opportunities, and remuneration. The court has scheduled the case for mention on May 6, 2026, to give directions on the hearing.
The suspension represents a significant operational setback for KeNHA, which is tasked with managing the national road network. The agency has not issued a public statement following the latest court order. Industry observers note the case highlights persistent professional tensions within Kenya's infrastructure development sector.
