Kenya Railways has unveiled 260 Kenyans who would enhance its countrywide operations.
In an event, on Friday, February 5, the Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) trainees will be deployed to various stations after completing various competency-based courses.
The recruits completed courses in locomotive maintenance, passenger operations, freight operations and track construction and maintenance at the Railways Training Institute.
"The trainees are set to inject new blood into the industry and accelerate the revitalization of Kenya’s MGR network," the transport agency noted.
The agency is currently in the process of rehabilitating the Metre Gauge Railway line throughout the country.
"We are revitalizing the Metre Gauge Railway line to enhance its accessibility and functionality, a process which will upscale the lines’ contribution to national growth,” Kenya Railways Chairman General (Rtd) Pastor Awitta stated in a previous interview.
The scope of works for the project entails clearing of the bushes along the corridor, construction of bridges and culverts, laying of the line where it is extensively damaged and ballasting.
Other aspects include eviction of encroachers who have illegally settled on the railway corridor and securing of the corridor.
The revamping of the Metre Gauge Railway line involves works in the western region, where the transport agency is looking to link the Standard Gauge Railway line and the Metre Gauge Railway line in order to provide a seamless connection between the Port of Mombasa and Lake Victoria in Kisumu and also main border point with neighboring Uganda at Malaba.
"The end result will see the Corporation transport cargo exclusively on rail albeit with an interchange from SGR to MGR line at Longonot station," Awwitta added.
Another project that is being undertaken includes the construction of a link line between Naivasha Inland Container Depot (NICD) and the existing Longonot railway station.
The 24.3 km link will facilitate the transition of cargo from the SGR to the MGR line at the interchange point to be constructed at the Naivasha Inland Container Depot.
Kenya Railways is spearheading the construction works which are being carried out in conjunction with the Kenya Defense Forces and the National Youth Service.
The agency provides training at the Railway Training Institute which has a rich history as being one of the oldest training institutions in the East African region dating back to the colonial era.
The institute was set up to meet the increasing demand for a skilled workforce required to manage the East African railways and harbors.
