AFRISTAR, operator of the Chinese-built Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Kenya, has launched a six-month training program with professors from China's Guangzhou Railway Polytechnic to help improve the technical skills of local staff.

Afristar said in a statement on Monday that the training, held in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, builds on its long-standing relationship with Chinese institutions, as skills transfer remains the cornerstone of its localization agenda.

Since its launch on May 31, 2017, the SGR, which runs from the coastal city of Mombasa to Nairobi, has trained more than 3,500 Kenyan staff who have undergone advanced studies at top Chinese railway institutions, including Southwest Jiaotong University and Baoji Railway Technician College.

In addition, Kenyan youth working at the modern railway project have been trained at Guangzhou Railway Polytechnic, specializing in railway management, engineering, and safety systems.

Joseph Njane, a locomotive and rolling stock specialist at Afristar, said the partnership with Chinese institutions has been pivotal in upgrading the technical skills of local staff, boosting their competence.

"This collaboration enhances our curriculum by incorporating customized lessons and training the trainer programs," Njane said. "Staff acquire both theoretical and practical skills through classroom instruction and fieldwork along the railway line and in workshops."

According to Njane, the training program aims to address the skills gap in locomotive handling, advanced signaling diagnostics, and modern track maintenance. "It helps fill gaps in equipment troubleshooting, fault-finding, and emergency drills, giving trainees the firsthand knowledge they need to handle daily challenges," he said.

Gilbert Oyugi, a senior locomotive driver, hailed the training, describing it as more advanced and practical compared to previous ones, especially given its focus on modern signaling and locomotive handling techniques.

Crispo Mwangi, a railway track expert, noted that during the training, Chinese professors simplified complex subjects to ensure they were understood by local Afristar staff.

"The training equipped my peers with modern safety practices and maintenance principles, giving us confidence to work with advanced railway technology," Mwangi added.