Electrical Engineering
Powering, connecting and automating the modern world.
Overview
Electrical engineers work with electricity in all its forms: generating it, moving it across the grid, and using it to drive machines, process information and communicate. The field runs from high-voltage transmission lines to the microchips inside a phone.
Students begin with circuit theory, electromagnetism and electronics, then branch into power systems, electrical machines, telecommunications and control. Laboratory sessions build practical skill with instruments, circuits, microcontrollers and machines, and programming runs through the whole course.
Kenya's generation from geothermal, wind and solar, rural electrification and the rapid growth of mobile and digital services all depend on electrical engineers to design, build and run them.
Areas of specialisation
The main fields within Electrical Engineering, from first principles to final-year projects.
Power Systems
Generating, transmitting and distributing electricity, and protecting the grid so supply stays reliable.
Electronics
Analogue and digital circuits, semiconductor devices and the design of electronic hardware.
Telecommunications
Signal processing and the radio, fibre-optic and mobile networks that carry voice and data.
Control & Automation
Feedback systems, PLCs and instrumentation that keep industrial processes running automatically.
Renewable Energy
Solar, wind and mini-grid systems, and how to connect them safely to the grid.
Embedded Systems
Programming microcontrollers that sense, decide and act: the basis of IoT devices.
What you will study
Typical subjects and practical training. Exact units vary by year and programme.
Core subjects
- Circuit theory and network analysis
- Electromagnetic fields
- Analogue and digital electronics
- Electrical machines
- Power systems analysis and protection
- Signals and systems
- Telecommunications
- Control systems
- Microprocessors and embedded systems
- Programming for engineers
Hands-on learning
- Building and measuring circuits with laboratory instruments
- Electrical machine and transformer tests
- Microcontroller and PLC programming
- Electrical installation and wiring practice
- Industrial attachment with a utility, telco or manufacturer
- Final-year hardware or software project
Career paths
Roles graduates commonly go on to hold.
- Power systems engineer
- Electronics design engineer
- Telecommunications engineer
- Control and instrumentation engineer
- Renewable energy engineer
- Embedded systems developer
- Protection engineer
- Electrical building services engineer
Professional registration
Graduates of accredited programmes can register with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) as graduate engineers, then work towards Professional Engineer status through supervised practice. Membership of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) supports that journey with mentorship, training and a professional network.
Electrical Engineering at EESA
Put your coursework to use with students from every department.
Project ideas to get started
- Build a solar-powered lighting or phone-charging system for a school.
- Design a smart energy meter or home automation system.
- Enter a robotics or embedded systems competition.
Have an idea of your own? Tell the committee.