The Kenya Railways Corporation will in May next year take over the full control of Standard Gauge Railway from the Chinese operator- Afristar.
This was revealed by Treasury CS Ukur Yatani on Friday during the graduation ceremony of 2,057 students from the Railway Training Institute.
"It will be fully owned and run by Kenyans," Yatani said in a speech read on his behalf by Treasury Chief Administrative Secretary Erick Simiyu.
Kenya Railways Corporation has already assumed ticketing, security and fuelling functions of the SGR.
The construction of the 120 kilometres Nairobi-Naivasha Standard Gauge Railway cost taxpayers approximately Sh150 billion.
From Mombasa to Nairobi, the line was constructed at a cost of Sh327 billion.
The government is also in the process of rehabilitating various meter gauge lines.
Yatani said transport and logistics have since been reformed; a move that has created jobs and boosted the movement of goods.
The 59th edition of the graduation ceremony was under the theme 'Quality training for transport and logistics in East Africa.'
During the ceremony, 1,321 trainees graduated in the TVET courses while 736 in the railway courses.
Another 137 trainees are due to commence their internships this November.
Yatani said the facelift at Railway Training Institute will ensure a seamless take over.
"The graduates are well versed in maintenance and operation of SGR and MGR," he said.
He said the government has also put a lot of resources into Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions as one way of enhancing the capacity of the human resource base.
Yatani said the transport sector is key in enabling the government's vision 2030.
Kenya Railways board chair Pastor Omudho Awitta said the major investments made by the government on rail infrastructure will see Railway Training Institute become a major beneficiary.
Awitta challenged the graduates to be innovative so that they become job creators instead of seekers.
"Use what you have gained to help develop the country," he said.
Kenya Railways MD Philip Mainga challenged graduates to use their skills and knowledge to help Kenya Railways run the SGR and MGR.
"I invite you to find a place and work with us," Mainga said adding that the Kenya Railways Training Institute is to be a centre of excellence in the region.
Mainga said Kenya Railways will use the Institute to build the capacity of people to play a pivotal role working with the rail network in the country, both SGR and MGR.
Kenya Railways Training Institute Board chair Silvester Abuotha said a lot of reforms were being instituted in order for students to gain top-notch knowledge and skills.
"We would like to have a young, dynamic and competent workforce," he said.
Abuotha said the curriculum will be aligned to the competence-based programme being rolled out by the government.
During the graduation, some 51 students graduated with Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Power option.
Kenya Railways Training Institute director Kiziili Otieno said there have been huge improvements.
"The Institute achievements that have led to the success of this event and the realisation of performance improvement up to a pass rate of 72 per cent in the year 2021.
She said infrastructure development by the Kenya Railways and CRBC including the construction of the engineering complex, library and engineering workshops have availed space for increased enrolment.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
