This archive report was first published on 16 June 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect businesses globally, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) has managed to maintain its operations with minimal disruption. The Africa Star Railway Operation Company (Afristar), the firm contracted to run and maintain the railway, has been successful in maintaining all its over 2000 workforce intact.
According to Lawrence Murithi, deputy superintendent of the Rolling Stock Maintenance Workshop at Afristar, the company has implemented measures to reduce the risk of staff contracting the virus. These measures include asking staff to take leave and providing accommodation and quality meals for staff who remain on duty.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Afristar has continued to provide seamless railway services that meet the demand for cargo in Kenya and the region. The company's Rolling Stock Maintenance Workshop has been at the forefront of this effort, with staff working tirelessly to maintain the railway's passenger coaches and freight wagons.
Skills transfer has been a key aspect of Afristar's operations, with the company supporting the transition from expatriates to Kenyans. To date, over 80% of the company's workforce has been transferred to Kenyan staff, with plans to reach 100% within the next 10 years.
As part of its skills transfer program, Afristar has sent over 100 fully sponsored Kenyan students to Beijing Jiaotong University to study communication engineering, rail transit signal and control, railway engineering, and engineering management. The company has also partnered with the University of Nairobi and the Railway Training Institute to provide vocational training and ensure a steady supply of skilled manpower.
