Transport PS centre, KR Chairman Abdi Bare Duale (2nd right), KR MD Philip Mainga (far right), RTI Chairlady Mercy Cherongich (2nd left) pose for a group photo alongside RTI Board during the RTI 62nd Graduation ceremony held at the institute’s South B campus/HANDOUT
The Railway Training Institute (RTI) marked its 62nd graduation ceremony on July 9 by conferring certificates and diplomas on 1,135 graduates.
The ceremony, held at the institute's Nairobi campus, also coincided with the institution's celebration of 70 years of excellence in technical education.
It was held under the theme, "Seven Decades of Excellence in Railway Training for the Future."
Speaking during the event, Principal Secretary for Transport Mohamed Daghar said the graduation represented not only a personal milestone for the graduates but also an investment in the country's future development.
"Today marks the culmination of your hard work, commitment, resilience and determination. It is a significant milestone in your academic journey and an important step towards your future careers and aspirations," he said.
Daghar congratulated parents, guardians, lecturers and sponsors for supporting the students throughout their academic journey, noting that the graduates' achievements reflected the collective sacrifices made by their families and educators.
He said the institute's 70-year legacy demonstrates the importance of investing in people alongside infrastructure projects, adding that Kenya's long-term economic growth depends on developing competent professionals to serve key sectors.
"As we celebrate this milestone, we are reminded that sustainable national development is built not only through investment in infrastructure but also through investment in people," he said.
The Principal Secretary also congratulated Kenya Railways as it commemorates 130 years since railway development began in Kenya in 1896.
KR Chairman Abdi Bare Duale said the corporation's continued investment in railway infrastructure and training will increase demand for skilled professionals to support the country's expanding transport sector.
He said Kenya Railways was undergoing one of the most transformative periods in its history through the modernisation of railway infrastructure, expansion of services and improvements in operational efficiency.
According to Duale, the Standard Gauge Railway continues to facilitate trade, tourism and regional integration, while the revitalisation of the Metre Gauge Railway network and expansion of commuter rail services in Nairobi and other urban centres are improving connectivity and sustainable mobility.
He said RTI has, since its establishment in 1956, grown into a centre of excellence offering training in railway, logistics, maritime, engineering, business and transport-related disciplines, producing professionals serving in Kenya, the East African region and internationally.
Duale said the Kenya Railways Board, working with the RTI Board of Governors and management, has implemented several projects to strengthen the institute's training capacity, including modern learning facilities, a new library, an engineering block, engineering workshops, digital student management systems, improved security infrastructure and rehabilitation of internal roads.
He added that completion of Phase One of the Kisumu Campus Master Plan, supported by the World Bank, has expanded the institute through new conference facilities, student hostels, executive accommodation and a Marine Safety Training Centre.
Addressing the graduates, Duale urged them to embrace lifelong learning, innovation, professionalism and integrity, saying they were joining the workforce at a time when the country's transport and logistics sectors were expanding and creating new opportunities.
RTI Board of Governors Chairperson said the institution has remained a centre of excellence in technical education for more than seven decades.
He said the institution has produced professionals who have supported the growth of Kenya's railway system and the wider transport industry across the region.
The Board noted that the institute is repositioning itself to meet emerging industry demands through modernised training programmes focusing on digital technologies, automation, artificial intelligence, green energy and intelligent transport systems.
Among its strategic priorities are expanding Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), strengthening industry partnerships, investing in digital learning technologies and simulation laboratories.
Others include introducing specialised programmes in railway engineering, maritime transport, logistics, ICT and other emerging technologies.
The Board said these initiatives are intended to ensure graduates remain globally competitive while addressing Kenya's increasing demand for skilled technical personnel.
RTI Director Chrp Asava Kadima urged the graduates to uphold professionalism and integrity as they transition into the workforce, saying the institution had equipped them with the competence required to thrive in highly technical industries.
"You arrived at our gates with ambition, and today you depart with character," he said.
Kadima noted that the qualifications awarded should be viewed not merely as academic credentials but as a commitment to serve society responsibly, particularly in sectors where precision and technical excellence are essential.
He also praised the institute's lecturers, staff, Board of Governors, Kenya Railways and parents for their contribution towards strengthening RTI as a modern centre of technical learning.
The graduation underscored RTI's continued role in preparing professionals expected to support Kenya's transport infrastructure, logistics systems and regional trade.
