The department of Engineering Workshops is under the College of Engineering and Technology (CoETec).  It started operations as a fully-fledged department in 1995 and was mandated to, among others;

1. Provide shop-related instructions to students and departments.

2. Provide facilities that students can use to design and fabricate their projects.

3. Engage in research and innovative projects to meet the needs of a people.

It also supports Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology’s (JKUAT’s) Mission of improving human life and society in general through industry.

We are channeling our creative thinking to the production of innovative solutions to meet the challenges that we believe are critical for the future as we carefully nurture tomorrow’s experts.

Engineering Workshops are located at the main campus of JKUAT along Innovation Street, and provides services to all the departments within CoETec. There are a number of well-serviced machines and equipment available for use by students and staff for academic and research purposes.

The History of Engineering Workshops Department dates back to 1981 when the institution (formally Jomo Kenyatta College of Agriculture and Technology – JKCAT) first admitted students to pursue Engineering (Architecture, Mechanical, Civil and Electrical) and Agricultural (Food Science and Post Harvest Technology, Horticulture, Agriculture) courses.  The department provided the essential practical skill-development facility for students with equipment donation from the Government of Japan.  The department also housed workshops for the Agricultural Engineering department until 1992 when a separate complex was put up to accommodate increased number of students in this field.

From the onset, the Engineering Workshops Department has had  a number of Heads of Department and other senior members of staffs, some of whom have since left University employment.  Some of the notable senior members of staff who had an opportunity to head in the department included;

Mr. N. Boro was the First Manager and served From 1990 to 1994

Mr. Robert Mutevu was the Second Manager who served From 1994 to 1998

Mr. D. M. Waweru was the Third Manager and served From 1998 to 2001

Eng. B. K. Kariuki was the Fourth Manager who served From 2001 to 2008

Mr. Njogu Wakarini served as the Fifth Manager From 2008 to 2013

Dr. Peter K. Kihato  served as the Sixth Manager From 2013-2020

Dr. Daniel Omondi Onyango took over from Dr. Peter K. Kihato on 7th September 2020 as the Seventh Manager and has been serving as the Manager from then-to-date.

 

Engineering Workshops Staff

Engineering Workshops is headed by a Workshop Manager who oversees the daily functions, and coordinates all services to other departments’ within the College of Engineering and the rest of the University.  Other staffs in the department includes a Chief Technologist assisted by Senior Technologists and Technologists in eleven workshops representing different thematic areas of engineering materials processing and production processes.

Manager

Dr. Daniel Omondi Onyango

Ag. Chief Technologist

Michael K. Mwai

Senior Technologists

1. David Chitayi Amuyeka

2. Moses Njeru Njeru

3. David Mwehe Nderi

4. Ben Nukhebi Maniafu

5. Peterson Wanjohi

Technologists

1.  Zebed Karimi

2. Elly Isaiah Ogutu

3. Geofrey Amenya Monda

4. David Maina Kweri

5. Simon Kariuki Gatagia

6. George N. Kamau

7. Masinde D. Wamachali

8. Rogers Ombui Mogamba

9. Fredrick Erick Amirah

10. Robert Kinyua Njeru

11. Ontita Ongeri

12. Peter Ngugi Kinyanjui

Research Assistant

Jimmy Nyongesa

Workshop Attendant

1. George Kariuki Kamau

2. Jethro Kimani

Secretary

Teresia R. Gichuhi

Support Staff

1. Suleiman Wachira

2. Jane Simiyu

3. Pius Mburu

4. David Okoth Omollo

5. Samuel Wachira

6. Jane Wangui