Imperial civil engineer honoured by President of Kenya

Professor Ochieng accepting his honorary doctorate at Technical University of Kenya

The Head of Imperial’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering has received one of Kenya’s highest honours from its President.

Professor Washington Yotto Ochieng, FREng, received the honour of Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) from Kenyan President Dr William Ruto in December 2022, for his distinguished contributions to Kenya and the world.

I am humbled and delighted to receive the honour of EBS in recognition of my contribution to Kenya and beyond. Professor Washington Yotto Ochieng Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

One of the country’s highest national decorations, the EBS is awarded by the President to public dignitaries, exemplary members of the public service, and other professionals who have provided distinguished service.

Professor Ochieng said: “I am humbled and delighted to receive the honour of EBS in recognition of my contribution to Kenya and beyond. I thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya Dr William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto and the Kenyan government for the award to mark Kenya’s 59^th Jamhuri (declaration of Republic) Day. I dedicate it to all who have supported and worked with me over the years, and all who have benefited and will benefit from our research, education, innovation and societal endeavours.”

Professor Ochieng's work focuses on developing satellite-based Position, Navigation and Timing systems in areas as diverse as space navigation, intelligent transport systems and navigation aids for blind people. His work has made significant contributions to major international projects, including the design of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service and GALILEO, measurement error modelling in Global Navigation Satellite Systems, specification of aircraft trajectory management tools for the Single European Sky's ATM Research programme, and integrated positioning and navigation systems.

Professor Ochieng is the Head of Imperial’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chair in Positioning and Navigation Systems, and Senior Security Science Fellow at the Institute for Security Science and Technology. He serves as Vice President of the Royal Institute of Navigation, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Science Museum Group, Chair of the Science Museum Advisory Board and Chair of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Engineers Steering Committee.

Technical University of Kenya achievement

My sincere thanks to the Leadership of TUK in considering me worthy of this accolade. Professor Washington Yotto Ochieng Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

In December Professor Ochieng also received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), where he began his higher education, for his distinguished scholarly and professional contribution to science, engineering, and technology – particularly in the development of the science and technology of geospatial positioning and navigation.

In his acceptance address, Professor Ochieng recounted that his higher education started at TUK in the early 1980s where studied for a Diploma in Electrical (Heavy Current) Engineering. He continued: “I stand before you today humbled and with the deepest of humilities and gratitude in joining you to partake in this auspicious occasion, and to accept the honour bestowed on me by TUK in conferring on me the degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa).

"My sincere thanks to the Leadership of TUK in considering me worthy of this accolade. I will serve TUK in any way I can including capability building and fostering international collaboration with the world’s leading universities such as my own, Imperial College London.”

Photo: Billy Mutai