Railway Training Institute remains unique in East African as the skills development center for the railway sector
The Institute was inaugurated by His Honor, Sir Fredrick Crawford, then The Deputy Governor of Kenya, on the 29th June 1956, to develop Human resources for the then East African Railways and Harbours.
The Institute has undergone a series of transformation through which several reforms have been implemented. The Institute was fully owned by Kenya Railways Corporation in 1976 after the dissolution of the East African Railways and Harbours to offer railway courses. A feasibility study conducted in 1988 identified inadequate utilization of RTI facilities leading to the launch of commercial courses. This development culminated into formal recognition and registration of the institute by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in 1990.
As the demand for efficient transport in the country grows, the institute is harnessing the rich heritage to reposition itself into a center of excellence in training transport and logistics management. Implementation of the Strategic Plan 2014-2019 seeks to distinguish the Institute as the ultimate training solution for railway, marine and road transport and logistics
RTI has been recognized as a center of excellence in railway under the Northern Corridor Integrated Project Framework. The Institute has developed a Curriculum Development Unit to revise and develop the railway curriculum in accordance with the TVET Act, 2013 and align to the market dynamics. Both international (China, Australia, America) and regional (East Africa) strategic partners have been engaged by the Institute in order to realize both infrastructure and curriculum development. RTI is a lead agent in the railway skills gap audit that shall derive the National Railway Occupation Standards.
The MARINE SCHOOL - KISUMU has adopted the KMA syllabus in order to equip and certify Lake Victoria vessel operators with skills and competencies in safety, protection, and preservation of marine environment. Regional integration shall be fostered through training and enhance trade among the East Africa countries. Training in marine is a contribution towards the efforts of KMA to retain the country's listing at the International Maritime Organization as well as participation towards transformation into a middle-income economy as outlined in vision 2030
