In a powerful address that resonated with both the technical and political spheres, Martha Karua, the Deputy President of Kenya, called on women engineers to take up leadership roles in policy-making and governance to drive sustainable development and innovation. Speaking at the 2025 Annual Women Engineers Conference in Nairobi, Karua emphasized the critical need for diverse representation in decision-making spaces, particularly in engineering, a traditionally male-dominated field.
We cannot afford to have the voices of women engineers sidelined in shaping the future of technology, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability, Karua stated, addressing a gathering of over 500 women engineers from across the country. As women, we must step into leadership roles in policy and governance, ensuring that the policies we create are inclusive, equitable, and innovative.
The Deputy President’s remarks are part of a broader push to increase the participation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, where their representation remains significantly low. Despite the growing number of women graduating from engineering programs, the higher echelons of the field, including leadership positions in both the private and public sectors, remain predominantly male.
Karua highlighted that the global challenges of the 21st century ranging from climate change to the digital revolution demand new and innovative solutions that can only be achieved through inclusive governance. According to her, the unique perspectives women bring to engineering solutions are invaluable, particularly when considering issues like climate justice, energy equity, and urban development, all of which require cross-sectoral collaboration and sustainable planning.
Women engineers, she added, have an opportunity to lead the charge in reshaping national and regional infrastructure projects. It is time for women engineers to occupy spaces where they can influence policies that govern the construction of our roads, bridges, energy systems, and digital infrastructure, Karua said. Your expertise is needed now more than ever to design policies that are not just technically feasible, but also socially responsible and aligned with sustainable development goals.
The call to action also extended beyond engineering professionals. Karua emphasized the need for female engineers to mentor the next generation of women in STEM fields and to build supportive networks that nurture young talent. We must not only focus on advancing ourselves but on lifting others along the way. We need to create pathways for young girls and women to see engineering as a viable career path, and that starts with mentorship, visibility, and the assurance that the industry is open to them, she explained.
The conference was also marked by discussions on how to combat the challenges that still hinder women’s full participation in engineering fields. Issues such as gender biases in the workplace, unequal access to resources, and the need for more flexible work policies were raised by speakers and participants alike.
In addition to the advocacy for policy reform, the event highlighted several successful women-led engineering initiatives in Kenya, such as projects aimed at expanding clean energy access in rural communities and creating eco-friendly urban spaces. These initiatives are seen as examples of how engineering can play a pivotal role in addressing some of the country’s most pressing issues, including energy poverty, infrastructure deficits, and climate resilience.
Karua concluded her speech by urging women engineers to embrace their roles as changemakers. We have the power, the knowledge, and the expertise to lead the charge in transforming not just our industries, but our communities and nations. Let us take up the mantle of leadership in policy and governance with pride, knowing that we are building a better world for generations to come.
Her call has been widely praised by participants, who expressed renewed commitment to advancing the role of women in policy-making and governance within the engineering sector. Many noted that Karua’s leadership and advocacy for women’s empowerment serve as a powerful inspiration for them to step up and make their voices heard at all levels of decision-making.
As the conference concluded, the women engineers in attendance left with a sense of purpose and a renewed commitment to breaking down barriers and shattering glass ceilings in both their professional and political lives. The path ahead may not be easy, but with leaders like Karua urging them forward, the future looks promising for women engineers in Kenya and beyond.
