How a Kenyan Engineer Secured a Top Role in Ireland’s Water Industry

A Kenyan engineer is leading major water and sanitation projects in Ireland after securing a senior role at RPS Tetra Tech in Dublin.

Eunice Wanjiku, 36, now oversees infrastructure initiatives that serve thousands across the country. Her path to this position reflects years of training, professional experience, and international study, rooted in a long-standing interest in public health and community impact.

Raised in Kenya, Wanjiku initially planned to pursue medicine while attending Loreto Girls’ High School, Matunda. However, influenced by her family's engineering background and guided by what she describes as divine direction, she chose to study civil engineering at Kenyatta University. 

During her time there, her focus shifted towards sanitation and public health, with a long-term goal of contributing to global development through institutions such as the World Bank. After graduating, she faced a competitive job market and began her career at a local consultancy. 

Her move to the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company marked a turning point, offering her direct experience with the technical and social aspects of urban water systems. She worked closely with communities, managing the challenges of infrastructure delivery while addressing issues of trust, service reliability, and social equity.

“People want to know that when they pay their bill, water will flow,” she said. “Sanitation is deeply personal, it affects how people live, how they feel, and how they relate to their environment.”

In pursuit of further expertise, Wanjiku received a scholarship to complete a Master’s degree at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands, which included study in Thailand. The programme exposed her to global water management strategies and deepened her understanding of sanitation challenges across different regions.

Despite gaining international exposure, she remained committed to contributing to Kenya. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she returned to Nairobi to fulfil a work bond with her employer, a condition tied to her study leave. However, discussions with peers during her postgraduate studies opened new opportunities. Encouraged by classmates and family, she began exploring roles abroad.

In 2023, she received an unexpected email about a vacancy at RPS Tetra Tech. After a quick recruitment process, she was interviewed and offered a position within days. She credits the opportunity to divine intervention, stating that the transition was “not by my own strength.”

Relocating to Dublin involved logistical challenges, particularly around housing and school placements for her daughter. While her critical skills visa enabled a relatively smooth immigration process, securing accommodation in the city’s competitive housing market was difficult. 

School enrolment, which is often tied to residential address, added further complexity. Support from the Kenyan diaspora played a key role in helping her settle. By March 2024, Wanjiku officially joined the RPS Tetra Tech team, bringing her experience in urban water systems and community engagement to projects in Ireland. 

Her current role involves managing high-impact sanitation infrastructure, contributing to the country’s development while drawing from her background in Nairobi. Although she has adjusted to life in Dublin, Wanjiku maintains strong ties to Kenya. She speaks of missing local food, sunshine, and the ability to speak Kiswahili and Kikuyu freely.