The government has reaffirmed its commitment to investing in technical education and skills development as the Railway Training Institute (RTI) graduated the Class of 2025/2026 during its 62nd graduation ceremony held on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, Principal Secretary for Transport Mohamed Daghar said skilled human capital remains central to the government’s Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), noting that Kenya’s transport sector is undergoing rapid transformation through investments in rail, logistics, maritime transport and the Blue Economy.
“The Government remains firmly committed to investing in education, skills development and human capital as key drivers of socio economic transformation,” Daghar said.
He said RTI has embraced Competency Based Education and Training (CBET), equipping graduates with practical skills in railway operations, engineering, logistics, marine transport and information technology to meet industry demands.
Daghar also said the recent transition of Kenya Railways into a Government Owned Enterprise under the Government Owned Enterprises Act, 2025, will strengthen governance and service delivery, adding that the success of the reforms will depend on a skilled workforce capable of operating and managing a modern railway system.
He noted that ongoing projects, including the Standard Gauge Railway expansion, revitalisation of the Metre Gauge Railway and growth of the Blue Economy, will create more employment opportunities for young professionals.
Kenya Railways Board Chairman Abdi Bare Duale said the graduation coincides with RTI’s 70th anniversary and 130 years since railway development began in Kenya, describing the milestones as a celebration of both infrastructure and human capital development.
He said RTI has trained thousands of professionals who now serve in Kenya, across East Africa and internationally in railway operations, logistics, engineering and maritime transport.
“The success of RTI alumni working in different countries and transport systems is a testament to the quality of training offered by this institution,” Duale said.
He added that Kenya Railways has invested in modern learning facilities, engineering workshops, digital systems and the expansion of the Kisumu campus to strengthen RTI’s capacity as a regional centre of excellence.
Duale encouraged the graduates to embrace lifelong learning, professionalism and innovation as they prepare to support Kenya’s growing transport and logistics sector.
The graduation, held under the theme “Seven Decades of Excellence in Railway Training for the Future,” saw 1,135 students graduate after successfully completing various certificate and diploma programmes, celebrating RTI’s 70 years of excellence in developing skilled professionals for Kenya’s transport, logistics and maritime sectors.
