Kenya Society of Geophysical Professionals (KSGP) has petitioned the National Assembly to enact a law to regulate the profession.

In the petition, the chairperson of KSGP Charles Ochola Osango, said geophysics plays a crucial role in various sectors including natural resource exploration, environmental assessment, infrastructure development and disaster management.

“With the increased demand for geophysical services, there is a need for a comprehensive legislative framework for the profession to ensure competence, accountability and ethical conduct amongst practitioners,” he said.

While conveying the request to the House, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said the petitioner proposes that the legislation should provide for the establishment of the Institute of Geophysical Professionals as a regulatory agency.

The petitioner proposed that the institute should be responsible for defining geophysical practice, licencing and registration as well as professional development needs.

“The petitioner avers that the proposed legislation will enhance the quality of services, strengthen consumer protection and promote Kenya as a world-class tourist destination,” Wetang’ula said.

The petitioner has gone further and presented the proposed legislation which he refers to as the “Geophysical Profession Bill, 2023” alongside the petition.

Wetang’ula committed the petition to the Public Petition Committee.

Geophysics is a major branch of the earth sciences that applies the principles and methods of physics to the study of the earth.

A geophysicist is a scientist who studies the Earth’s natural processes and how they interact with humans using gravity, magnetic, electrical, and seismic methods.

Geophysics combine the sciences of geology and physics to locate resources such as oil and gas, mineral deposits, water, and energy resources.

The profession is different from geologists. Geologists use a variety of techniques to determine the location, composition and orientation of earth materials.

Geophysicists measure various physical properties, such as electricity, magnetism, and gravity, and physical phenomenon such as earthquakes. They use these measurements to make interpretations about a site.

The demand for geophysicists is projected to grow 5 per cent from 2018 to 2028, according to reports.