Women engineers have been challenged to move beyond technical excellence and aggressively pursue leadership and political positions to ensure their expertise shapes national development and public policy.

Speaking during the 2nd Women Engineers Summit Gala Dinner in Nakuru, National Assembly Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo said women must stop waiting for validation and boldly occupy leadership spaces that have historically been dominated by men.

Despite the growing number of qualified women engineers, Odhiambo noted that many remain absent from key decision-making positions because of deep-rooted societal expectations.

“Women engineers are qualified. But we are not getting to those spaces. Why are we not getting those spaces? Because since we were little, we have been trained to be good girls,” she said.

She argued that the desire for approval often limits women’s ambitions, making them hesitant to compete for influential positions.

“We thrive on praise as women. It’s not bad. But sometimes that is what is actually used to put us down,” she said.

Calling on women to embrace confidence, Odhiambo urged them to reject the fear of criticism and unapologetically pursue leadership.

“I am just claiming my space, which the men have been sitting on for too long. As women, love yourself, number one. Because if I love myself, I have no business seeking approval from anyone,” she said.

The legislator further encouraged women engineers to venture into elective politics, saying the country’s leadership should reflect the wealth of professional expertise available within the engineering sector.

“Women engineers must be at the decision-making table. Just like the men, women engineers must also be elected. So join us in Parliament,” she urged, adding that she is ready to mentor women interested in political leadership.

Outgoing Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) Women Engineers Committee Chairperson, Eng. Jennifer Gache, acknowledged the remarkable progress women have made in the profession but noted that the highest executive offices in the engineering sector remain largely out of reach.

“Historically, it was said that women feared engineering and there was bias about it. But when you look at the ladies in this room, we can confidently say women have broken the glass ceiling and are proving they can excel in engineering,” she said.

Gache observed that although women now serve in government agencies, state corporations, international organisations and the private sector, very few head major engineering institutions.

“When you think about organisations like KenGen, KETRACO, KURA and KeNHA, you will not find a woman CEO there. So what is it?” she posed.

She challenged women engineers to complement their technical expertise with communication, commercial and strategic leadership skills, saying these competencies are essential for executive leadership.

“Your technical skills will get you into the room, but they will not keep you there or take you to the top. There are additional skills that you need to develop,” she said.

Gache backed calls for more women engineers to seek elective office, arguing that greater representation in governance would enable professionals to influence national policies and infrastructure development.

Echoing the call, IEK Caretaker Committee member Eng. Muguru Wairimu highlighted mentorship and collaboration as critical drivers of women’s advancement in engineering.

“How do we make it easier for the young ladies so that they don’t have to go through some of the things we’ve gone through?” she asked.

Wairimu credited mentorship and solidarity among women engineers for the gains achieved over the years, dismissing the long-held belief that women do not support one another.

“One of the things that makes women work is we mentor each other. We know how to work together. We’re told we are the greatest enemies, but we are not,” she said.

She urged women to continue pursuing leadership opportunities while creating pathways for the next generation of engineers.

The summit brought together women engineers from across Kenya to discuss leadership, mentorship, innovation and strategies for increasing women’s representation in engineering, governance and other decision-making spaces, with delegates united in one message: technical excellence must now be matched by influence in boardrooms, Parliament and the country’s highest leadership offices.