William Ruto has spoken very openly about what he thinks of studying engineering in Kenya. He says very clearly that if someone studies engineering, the only place that can give real meaning to all the things they have learned is mjengo.
He says that without going to mjengo and using your skills in real life, all the learning is almost useless. According to him, knowing theory in books is not enough; people must also practice what they have learned in real situations.
Ruto explains that in engineering, students spend many years learning mathematics, physics, structures, and designs. They study formulas, machines, and how buildings stand strong.
But he says all these things in books do not matter much if someone cannot take them to real life and make something useful. He says mjengo is where engineers show their real skill.
This is where they measure, dig, build, and see how structures actually work. He says this is where they really understand if what they learned in school makes sense or not.
He also says that many young engineers spend too much time focusing only on exams and certificates. They get degrees, diplomas, and papers, but they do not spend time in mjengo. According to him, this is a mistake because skills are not only about theory.
Skills are about practice, action, and making something real that people can use. He says if an engineer never goes to mjengo, they will not know how to deal with problems that happen on site.
They will not understand how to measure the land, mix the right concrete, or make buildings safe.Ruto adds that real engineers must get their hands dirty. He says working in mjengo teaches patience, planning, problem-solving, and leadership.
It also teaches respect for workers, for machines, and for materials. He says engineers who avoid mjengo and only stay in classrooms will find that their learning is empty.They may know all the formulas, but they cannot build anything meaningful for people or the country.
Ruto is saying that studying engineering is not enough by itself. He says real value comes when young engineers step out of classrooms and into mjengo. This is where they turn knowledge into work, and where theory meets reality.
Without mjengo, he says, an engineer is almost useless because knowledge alone cannot build houses, roads, or bridges that serve people and the nation.