Kenya forced to restructure top mantle at Kenya Railways as it struggles to sell USD3.2B railway line to commuters and traders

Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) has advertised positions of almost all its senior managers demoted two days ago as it strives to make the Standard Gauge Railways viable and mode of choice for freight transporters.

In a notice on Monday, the corporation said interested and qualified candidates must complete the Kenya Railways application form, attach their testimonials and certificates on applications.

“Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Canvasing will lead to automatic disqualification,” said the notice.

Some of the senior management positions that are vacant include; administration, assistant architect, audit control, assistant board services, assistant property administration, corporate affairs and public relations managers.

On Wednesday, Kenya Railways Managing Director Atanas Maina called an impromptu meeting through a WhatsApp message sent out at 4am to the senior managers and dropped the bombshell, according to a local daily.

“The corporation is changing its organisational structure and staff establishment,” Mr Maina said

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The sudden restructuring, which is linked to the poor performance of the standard gauge railway, saw some of the long serving managers given two options either accept the junior roles or exit the state corporation.

Kenya’s 472km railway which cost taxers Sh327 billion ($3.2bn) has struggled to take off as earlier anticipated.

The freight service has been operating below capacity since it was launched on January despite the government rolling out several incentives aimed at shifting transport from road to rails, going even as far as forcing importers and traders to use it without much success.

Kenya Railways on the February issued a directive compelling all importers to use the standard gauge railway (SGR).

Those affected include long-serving Finance General Manager Alfred Matheka (reassigned as Financial Controller), Corporate Affairs Manager Mary Oyuke (reassigned as Assistant Corporate Affairs Manager), ICT Manager Ibrahim Mwadime (now Assistant ICT Manager), Security Manager Nicholas Mutunga (reassigned as Assistant Security Manager), Procurement Manager Lucy Njoroge (reassigned as Inventory Manager), General Manager Business Development Thuranira Kinagwi (reassigned as Research and Development Manager), Risk and Audit Manager Remy Koech reassigned as Corporate Auditor), Senior Legal Manager Victoria Mulwa (reassigned as Assistant Manager Legal Services), Senior Legal Manager Stanley Gitari (reassigned as Assistant Manager Legal Services) and Financial Account Manager Jackline Mboga, who is now Assistant Finance Manager.

On Thursday, Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia while on tour in Mombasa announced the demotion and transfer of 14 out of 16 managers at the Kenya Ports Authority.

“This is due to the senior general managers’ performance and governance that have impacted on the general performance of the port,” Mr Macharia said, adding that the decision was reached by the board.