China-funded railway technology course benefits Kenyan youth

More than one hundred Kenyan youth drawn from mid-level colleges and universities are the latest beneficiaries of a railway technology course sponsored by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

The youth were on Monday awarded certificates after completing the four month course that covered basic locomotive and rolling stock engineering, telecommunications control and transport management.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for the trainees, Kenyan minister for transport and infrastructure, James Macharia said the east African nation will strengthen partnership with China to help improve railway technology.

"Skills transfer is a key component of the engineering, procurement and construction contract that we signed with CRBC at commencement of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project," Macharia said.

He commended the Chinese construction firm for sponsoring crash courses for Kenyan youth to enhance their capacity to operate and manage the railway that will be completed mid next year.

The CRBC sponsored railway technology course for Kenyan youth was conducted by tutors from China's Southwest Jiaotong University.

The construction firm will offer a five month internship to the trainees who will be placed at different sections of the SGR project to familiarize them with practical elements of railway transport.

Macharia hailed a partnership between CRBC and Kenyan training institutions to help bridge a yawning skills gap in railway operation and maintenance.

He noted that Kenya is well positioned to become a regional hub for railway transport thanks to strategic collaboration with China to modernize infrastructure and create a critical pool of trained personnel.

The transport minister added that completion of SGR project will hasten Kenya's industrialization process, boost cross border trade alongside skills transfer.

Sino-Kenya collaboration in infrastructure development and technology transfer has entered a critical milestone thanks to sincere commitment from top leadership in the two bilateral allies.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Liu Xianfa said Beijing will support modernization of Kenya's infrastructure and training for the youth to accelerate the country's socio-economic transformation. Endit