Kwale engineers mark World Engineering Day at Msambweni Technical and Vocational College

By Caroline Katana 

Kwale County joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development with a vibrant event held at Msambweni Technical and Vocational College (TVC), bringing together county engineers, education leaders, and students in a strong show of mentorship and innovation.

The celebrations placed Msambweni TVC at the centre of attention as a fast-rising hub for technical excellence at the Coast.

Engineers Rally Youth to Embrace Technical Careers

Engineer Hassan Mwandoro, who oversees engineering matters in Kwale County and the Coastal region, said the day was dedicated to inspiring students to understand that engineering is a progressive journey.

“We want to engage with students and remind them that engineering success is achieved step by step. Their innovations should not remain in classrooms   they must be visible out there in the real world,” said Mwandoro.

Engineering is a sector relied upon not only in Kwale County but across the globe.

He urged learners to fully commit to their training, noting that the market for technical skills remains wide open.

“A student’s dedication can open many employment doors. There are opportunities in electrical installation, plumbing, road construction and other technical fields. Through guidance from teachers and partners like us in government, students can access these opportunities — but they must first equip themselves with skills.”he said 

Mwandoro emphasized that technology remains a key driver in modern engineering.

“Technology is fundamental. It has simplified operations across many sectors and continues to shape innovation.” he added.

However, he noted that the Coastal region is still developing in engineering capacity.

“At the Coast, we are roughly at 40 percent in engineering development, partly due to the misconception that this is a male-dominated field. We want to break that stereotype. Engineering is not for men alone  women can excel even more.” he urged .

He called on parents to consider enrolling youth who miss university placements into technical institutions to gain practical, life-changing skills.

Engineer Hassan Mwandoro

The Principal of Msambweni TVC, Ms. Maria Kimonyi, expressed pride in hosting the event, describing it as recognition of the institution’s growing reputation.

“We are truly honoured that Kwale engineers chose to celebrate this important day with us. Msambweni TVC is a centre of excellence in engineering courses,” said Kimonyi.

She highlighted that the college is a national institution offering diverse programmes in Building Construction, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, among others.

Kimonyi underscored the institution’s commitment to quality and inclusivity.

“One of our greatest achievements has been improving the gender ratio in engineering courses. Previously, female students were very few. Today, we have 46 percent female students and 54 percent male students. That is a major milestone,” she noted.

She noted that while the institution is yet to achieve a 50:50 balance, steady progress demonstrates a deliberate strategy to empower women in technical fields.

“We are not yet at 50:50, but we are confident we will achieve it sooner rather than later. Our commitment is to ensure that girls feel supported, mentored and confident in engineering,” she said. 

Kimonyi further revealed that the institution is aligning its training with sustainable development goals and will soon launch new blue economy courses.

“As a college, we are committed to sustainable development through smart engineering solutions. We are also introducing blue economy courses in May to respond to emerging opportunities in the coastal region,” she added.

Her remarks positioned Msambweni TVC as a forward-looking institution responding to national development priorities.

Msambweni TVC principal, Maria Kimonyi

Tabitha Warugha, a representative of engineering students, expressed gratitude for the mentorship extended to learners.

“There is nothing hard or easy , it is all about hard work. We are grateful to the national government for sponsoring our studies and to the engineers who came to motivate us,” she said.

Warugha said she chose engineering out of passion and encouraged more girls to join.

“I want to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering. We are here to gain skills and access opportunities once we graduate. I encourage my fellow girls — no career is too hard if you are determined,”

Swalehe Pengo, a welding student and the college’s Sports CS, described the celebration as impactful.

“We appreciate the organisers for creating this platform. It motivates us to stay focused and achieve our goals. The partnership between engineers and our college should continue so that students keep benefiting,” he said.

He added that the selection of Msambweni TVC as host was a testament to the quality of training offered at the institution.

Electrical Engineering lecturer Madam Elinya Kakho shared how childhood curiosity inspired her engineering journey.

“When I was young, I used to watch television and listen to the radio and wonder how voices travelled from far away. I wanted to know what was inside those devices,” she said 

Her passion led her to explore electronics, robotics and drone technology. She now mentors young women to overcome stereotypes in STEM fields.

“We work hard to demystify the belief that engineering is difficult or meant only for men. Through mentorship, career talks and follow-ups, we encourage girls to remain confident and consistent,” she added.

Electrical engineering lecturer at Msambweni TVC, Elinya Kakho

Engineer Salim Zimbu, Chief Officer for Roads and Public Works in Kwale County, who graced the event as Chief Guest, underscored the importance of mentorship and government investment.

“As engineers, we have a responsibility to ensure the next generation builds on what we have achieved. That is why mentorship is important,” he said.

He noted that both national and county governments have heavily invested in technical education.

“The future of any country depends on its technical capacity. If we aspire to reach the level of countries like Singapore, we must strengthen our technical institutions.” he added 

As the celebrations concluded, Msambweni TVC emerged not just as a host institution, but as a symbol of growing engineering excellence at the Coast — championing innovation, mentorship and gender inclusion in line with the global call to harness engineering for sustainable development.

The Wednesday 4th celebrations that had a theme of “Unleashing the Power of Engineers to Advance the Sustainable Development Goals” started with tree planting exercise.