Marine Engineering: The Legacy of RTI Kisumu’s Maritime Education

By Andrew Mwangura

Email, thecoastnewspaper2gmail.com

For nearly seven decades, the Railways Training Institute (RTI) in Kisumu has quietly shaped Kenya’s maritime future from the shores of Lake Victoria. 

Established in 1956 during British colonial rule, this institution stands as a testament to Kenya’s commitment to maritime excellence and represents an often-overlooked national treasure with tremendous economic potential.

Legacy

RTI Kisumu’s marine engineering program has produced a remarkable cadre of highly qualified professionals who have distinguished themselves across East Africa’s maritime sector. 

The institute’s alumni include notable figures such as Chief Engineers Geoffrey Gachomba, Humphrey Omondi, Spatule Mwanyika, Koti Kitavi and Solomon Obusuru, who have steered vessels through coastal waterways, inland routes across the Great Lakes region, and international ocean-going voyages.

The institute’s impact extends to leadership positions in Kenya’s maritime education sector.

Chief Marine Engineer Titus Kilonzi, an RTI graduate, now serves as deputy director of Maritime Education and Training at the Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA). 

Similarly, Chief Marine Engineer David Kariuku led the transformation of BMA from a modest port workers training college into a comprehensive Maritime Education and Training Institution for Seafarers.

RTI’s contributions to regional development cannot be overstated. Its graduates have formed the backbone of organizations like the East African Railways and Harbors, the East African National Shipping Line, and the African Marine and General Engineering Company in Mombasa. 

Beyond marine engineering, the institute has produced several highly trained naval architects who have strengthened the region’s maritime design capabilities.

Economic Significance

The marine engineering sector represents a substantial economic opportunity for coastal nations.

Globally, the maritime industry facilitates approximately 90% of world trade, with an estimated value exceeding $14 trillion annually.

According to the International Maritime Organization, the global shortage of qualified marine engineers stands at approximately 16,500 officers, with this deficit projected to grow as the global fleet expands.

Marine engineers command competitive salaries worldwide, with experienced Chief Engineers earning between $120,000-$180,000 annually in international markets.

For Kenya, each marine engineer working abroad represents not only valuable foreign exchange through remittances but also knowledge transfer opportunities when these professionals return home or establish maritime businesses.

For Kenya specifically, marine engineering represents a strategic economic sector with multiple benefits. One, skilled marine engineers ensure the operational readiness of vessels that connect Kenya to global markets.

Two, Kenya’s 2018 Blue Economy Conference highlighted the potential of maritime resources to contribute up to 10% of GDP if properly harnessed.

Three, the maritime sector provides high-quality jobs, with each shipboard position supporting approximately 5-7 shore-based positions.

Four, marine engineering drives innovation in related sectors including renewable energy, environmental management, and logistics.

Kenyan Shipbuilding Industry

Establishing a shipbuilding industry in Mombasa represents a transformative opportunity for Kenya’s maritime and industrial sectors.

This initiative would create a powerful synergy with RTI Kisumu’s marine engineering education programs, offering graduates direct pathways to apply their expertise domestically.

Currently, East African nations import virtually all commercial vessels, resulting in significant capital outflows.

A Kenyan shipbuilding industry would capture this value locally while creating a complex industrial ecosystem. 

Industry analyses suggest that for each direct job in shipbuilding, approximately 4-6 additional jobs are created in supporting industries including steel fabrication, electrical systems, and specialized marine components.

The economic benefits extend beyond manufacturing. A shipbuilding industry would:

1. Generate export opportunities to neighboring landlocked countries requiring lake vessels

2. Create maintenance and repair capabilities for the existing East African fleet

3. Support specialized vessel construction for Kenya’s emerging offshore oil and gas sector

4. Facilitate knowledge transfer in advanced manufacturing techniques applicable across industries

5. Strengthen national security through reduced dependence on foreign maritime assets

Successful shipbuilding nations like South Korea, Vietnam, and more recently, nations like Bangladesh, have demonstrated that strategic government support combined with technical education can create globally competitive maritime industries.

Mombasa’s strategic location along major shipping lanes positions it ideally for such development.

With RTI Kisumu’s established pipeline of marine engineers and naval architects, Kenya already possesses the human capital foundation necessary to initiate this transition. 

What remains is the policy framework, infrastructure investment, and industrial partnerships to transform this potential into reality.

African Marine and General Engineering Company

The dormant African Marine and General Engineering Company in Mombasa represents a missed opportunity for Kenya’s maritime sector. 

Revitalizing this enterprise would address several critical needs.

First, Kenya currently sends vessels abroad for major repairs and maintenance, resulting in significant foreign exchange outflows.

A revitalized marine engineering company would retain these funds locally while creating skilled employment opportunities.

Second, East Africa’s expanding port infrastructure, including Lamu Port, requires specialized marine engineering support that could be provided domestically rather than imported.

Third, Kenya’s naval and maritime security forces need dedicated engineering support for their patrol vessels and equipment. Local capacity would enhance operational readiness while reducing costs.

The revival should incorporate modern technologies, including digital shipyard management systems, advanced fabrication techniques, and environmental sustainability measures. 

Public-private partnerships (PPP) could provide the necessary capital and expertise, while RTI Kisumu and Bandari Maritime Academy could supply the skilled workforce.

As RTI Kisumu approaches its 70th anniversary, Kenya stands at a crossroads regarding its maritime ambitions.

The institute’s history demonstrates that Kenya possesses the educational foundation to excel in marine engineering.

What remains is to transform this educational excellence into economic prosperity through strategic investment, policy support, and recognition of the sector’s importance.

The seas that connect Kenya to global markets could become not just highways for imports and exports, but sources of innovation, employment, and sustainable development.

RTI Kisumu’s legacy of marine engineering excellence provides the foundation upon which this maritime future can be built. 

The writer is a Maritime Affairs Analyst.