By Dennis Gichuiri
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to investing in skills development as Kenya’s transport sector undergoes rapid transformation driven by railway expansion, logistics and the Blue Economy.
Speaking during the 62nd Graduation Ceremony of the Railway Training Institute (RTI) in Nairobi on Thursday, Principal Secretary for Transport Mohamed Daghar said the country requires a highly skilled workforce to support ongoing investments in railway infrastructure, logistics and maritime transport.
Daghar said the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) places education and human capital development at the centre of economic growth, with Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) helping produce graduates equipped with practical and industry-relevant skills.
He noted that RTI has aligned its academic programmes with the changing demands of the transport industry by offering training in railway operations, marine transport, logistics, engineering and information technology.
“As Kenya modernises its transport systems, institutions such as the Railway Training Institute have become critical in producing professionals who will operate, maintain and improve modern railway infrastructure,” Daghar said.
The Principal Secretary also highlighted recent reforms that transitioned Kenya Railways into a Government-Owned Enterprise under the Government-Owned Enterprises Act, 2025, saying the move is expected to strengthen governance, improve operational efficiency and position the corporation to better support trade, industrialisation and regional integration.
He said the success of the reforms would depend not only on infrastructure investment but also on the availability of skilled professionals capable of managing a modern railway system.
Daghar further pointed to ongoing projects including the expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway, revitalisation of the Metre Gauge Railway, development of inland water transport and growth of logistics systems as key investments expected to create employment opportunities while strengthening Kenya’s position as a regional transport and logistics hub.
Kenya Railways Board Chairman Abdi Bare Duale said the graduation coincided with two major milestones: 130 years since railway development began in Kenya and 70 years of excellence at the Railway Training Institute. He said the two anniversaries underscored the importance of investing in both infrastructure and human capital.
Duale said RTI has evolved into a regional centre of excellence in railway, logistics, maritime and engineering training, producing thousands of professionals serving in Kenya and across the region.
He revealed that Kenya Railways has invested heavily in upgrading the institution through modern learning facilities, engineering workshops, digital student management systems, improved security infrastructure and expansion of the Kisumu Campus with support from the World Bank.
According to the chairman, Kenya Railways is currently implementing one of the most significant transformation programmes in its history through railway modernisation, commuter rail expansion and improved operational efficiency to support trade, tourism and regional integration.
He challenged the graduates to embrace lifelong learning, professionalism and innovation as they prepare to join an increasingly competitive transport and logistics industry.
“You graduate at a historic moment in the evolution of Kenya’s railway sector. The country needs innovators, problem-solvers and professionals who will help shape the future of transport and logistics,” Duale said.
The graduation ceremony brought together officials from the Ministry of Roads and Transport, Kenya Railways, the Railway Training Institute Board of Governors, industry stakeholders, parents and hundreds of graduates from various transport-related disciplines.
This year’s ceremony was held under the theme “Seven Decades of Excellence in Railway Training for the Future,” celebrating RTI’s contribution to developing skilled manpower for Kenya’s transport, logistics and maritime sectors over the last 70 years.
