Naikuni Appointed As Rift Valley Railways Chairman

Naikuni will head a board that has been reconstituted following recent shareholder restructuring at the regional rail operator.

Naikuni brings extensive operational, business leadership and policy formulation experience to the rail operator that has been consolidating volume and efficiency gains on the back of substantial capital investments, including new contracts for steel, fuel and bulk grain transportation.

RVR is at the midpoint of a sh25 billion ($287 million) capital investment and turnaround programme that began in January 2012 to revitalise the railway that had been ailing from years of neglect and underfunding.

In the 26 months since the start of the renewal programme the company has invested sh11 billion ($126 million) against the required $40 million (sh3.5 billion) in rehabilitating the operation by installing modern rail operating technology, rebuilding infrastructure, expanding haulage capacity and developing modern rail operating skills in the 2,400 strong workforce.

Installation of satellite tracking and GPS-based technology on all trains helped cut cargo transit times between Mombasa and Nairobi by six hours.

"RVR’s recent achievements and the full funding of its investment and growth plan, demonstrates  that it is now uniquely positioned to become a high performing railway network that can spur trade and economic growth in the region,” said Naikuni.

“I am excited about this opportunity to work with the board and staff to build a robust and efficient rail transport solution which is the backbone of a thriving economy,” added Naikuni.

“To have such a seasoned and transformational business leader chair the RVR board is a big win for the company”, said Ahmed Heikal, chairman of Qalaa Holdings, leading shareholder of the railway firm.

“His insights and vast transport sector experience will be invaluable in helping RVR realise the potential of the ambitious investment and growth programme it has embarked on,” added Heikal.

Naikuni joined the Kenya Airways as group CEO in 2003 and spearheaded one of the most noteworthy and rapid expansions of an African airline, growing revenues threefold to over sh105 billion ($1.2 billion) and doubling fleet and passenger numbers. 

Prior to joining the national carrier Naikuni was group managing director of the Magadi Soda Company.

In 1999 he was appointed permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Transport and Communication as part of a team of experts engaged by government to drive economic reform. 

His extensive boardroom experience spans the energy, mining, real estate, banking, film, manufacturing and ITC sectors.

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