Nairobi: The Railway Training Institute (RTI) is repositioning itself as a leading regional center for technical and engineering training as it steps up efforts to expand industry-relevant programmes, improve public visibility, and address persistent funding challenges affecting student access. The institute, which is marking 70 years since establishment, also commits to strengthening its brand, deepening stakeholder engagement, and highlighting its evolving role beyond rail-specific training.
According to Kenya News Agency, speaking during an engagement on the institute’s operations and future direction, RTI Director Asava Kadima said the institution has grown into a center of excellence for technical education but remains largely unknown among many Kenyans. Kadima emphasized the need to broaden public awareness about the institute’s offerings beyond its traditional association with railways.
‘One thing I have noticed is that we are still not known out there as RTI. People associate RTI with railways only, yet there is more beyond railways that we undertake,’ Kadima said. He noted that the institute has gradually shifted its focus toward engineering and technical programmes in response to labor market demands, with business-related courses experiencing declining enrollment.
Currently, the institute offers training in civil, mechanical, electrical, and railway engineering, alongside short-term specialised programmes aimed at upskilling industry workers. Kadima highlighted that student preferences strongly favour technical disciplines, with a majority showing interest in engineering and technical courses during career talks.
The institute trains about 8,000 students annually, with the capacity to expand to approximately 10,000. However, the number of graduates transitioning into the labour market remains lower than expected. Kadima pointed out that ideally, between 2,000 and 2,500 students should be exiting into the market to demonstrate strong participation.
The institute also runs short industry exposure programmes lasting one to two weeks, which are designed to bridge the gap between training and practical skills. This year, more than 50 participants have benefited from such programmes under Kenya-China government collaboration initiatives focusing on engineering skills development.
Kadima further noted that in 2017, RTI trained about 100 engineers under a scholarship programme in China, who have since been deployed across various sectors in the country. He disclosed plans to expand specialised training in railway engineering, marine studies, and hospitality to respond to emerging regional needs.
Kadima highlighted the Kisumu campus as a marine-focused training hub serving the Lake Victoria Basin, extending to neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania. Meanwhile, the Mombasa campus is being developed into a key center for hospitality and railway operations training, addressing skills gaps along the coastal region and supporting Kenya Railways Corporation operations.
Despite its expansion, RTI continues to face financial constraints, particularly in supporting students from low-income backgrounds. Kadima mentioned that the institute is not adequately covered under major national funding schemes, proposing the creation of a pool financing mechanism to support students.
The institute has launched a renewed branding and communications strategy aimed at increasing awareness of its programmes and strengthening its national presence. Kadima acknowledged that despite its long history, public awareness remains low and emphasized the need for increased publicity.
As the institute marks 70 years of existence, it is balancing expansion, financial sustainability, and brand visibility, seeking to strengthen its position as a key technical training hub in Kenya and the wider region.
