Why Mainga could be honoured this year alongside Mashujaa Day heroes
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With plans underway to honor some of the country’s revolutionary and effective parastatal heads, attention has shifted to the transport sector-where Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga has been a towering figure.
The event scheduled to take place in Kitui could see prominent names from the Akamba community feted by the Head of State.
A snap check at some of the leading government officers from the region puts the light on Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga,who has rose through the ranks at the oldest State Corporation,to become one of the country’s most effective managers.
Mainga legacy is that of a a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in railway operations, and his career at Kenya Railways is marked by significant achievements.
He joined Kenya Railways in 1997 as a management trainee and gradually rose through the ranks, holding various positions such as assistant planning officer, procurement officer, and general manager.
He became the Managing Director of Kenya Railways Corporation, overseeing the successful operations of the Nairobi-Mombasa Madaraka Express Passenger and Freight services, the historic construction and commissioning of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Phase 2A to Naivasha.
With other government officials in the transport sector, he played a crucial role in the implementation and expansion of the SGR, including negotiations with China and overseeing improvements in passenger and freight services.
This is the same man who led the rehabilitation of the Metre Gauge Railway, reconnecting regions such as Nanyuki, Butere, Kisumu, and Nyahururu.
Under his tenure,KR has also expanded the commuter rail system in Nairobi, increasing the number of daily trains from one to nine and easing congestion in the capital.
Today,Kenya Railways, under Mainga’s leadership, operates vessels like MV Uhuru I and II in Lake Victoria,enhancing regional trade with Uganda and Tanzania.
He is the man with the biggest responsibility to oversea the implementation of the Nairobi Railway City Project that will be funded by the United Kingdom.
Atleast some 5 parastatal heads could be feted during this year’s Mashujaa Day event.
Last year,a total of 141 heroes were awarded from 14 categories including sports, philanthropy, statesmanship and indigenous cultures.
Reports indicate that the state could honour a record 200 heroes during this year’s Mashujaa Day.
The Culture and Heritage department is already researching and benchmarking on the procedure for the awards which are three months away.
The nominees are people who have made various contributions and undertook exemplary acts to change lives for the benefit of the society. Some have risked their lives for the benefit of communities and their actions may have been recognised globally.
Currently, heroes, apart from being awarded commendation certificates and medals, may have symbolic tombs, monuments and statues build in their honour where necessary.
Some may be lucky to have books published that depict their respective roles in the country’s history. According to the PS, the 142 names were subjected to a robust and transparent sieving exercise that gave fair opportunities for all the applicants.
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