NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 11 – Concilia Owire, Kenya’s first female locomotive driver, is the winner of the 2023 ‘The Belt and Road: My China Story Speech’ competition.
Owire’s inspiring journey to becoming a locomotive driver and her experiences in China were the focal points of her winning speech during the competition’s final, held at the Radisson Blu hotel in Nairobi on Friday.
The competition coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the BRI initiative and Kenya-China 60-year relations, was organised by the Kenya China Economic Trade Association (KCETA), an umbrella body of Chinese companies operating in Kenya.
The second prize was awarded to Gisemba Gloria, representing the China Road and Bridge Corporation, and Jeanne Ong’iyo from Moja Express Way. Both individuals demonstrated their deep engagement with the Kenya-China collaboration, sharing their unique perspectives on its impact.
The third prize winners, Mirriam Kirimi from the China Energy International Group Company Limited, Maureen Kobia from Afristar Railway Operation Company, and David Maina from the China Aerospace Construction Group, offered compelling accounts of their experiences and contributions to the partnership between the two nations.
An Excellent Award recognized the exceptional work of Brian Mwangi from AVIC International Holding Corporation, John Mwangi, Teresiah Muthee from Stecol Corporation Power China, and Anne Maluki. Their stories and dedication to promoting Kenya-China relations were celebrated, underscoring their vital roles in fostering closer ties between the two nations.
Out of a pool of 60 participants, the competition featured 10 finalists who had the unique opportunity to present their stories and insights about the Kenya-China partnership. The event exemplified the depth of engagement and collaboration between Kenya and China, highlighting the numerous individuals who have contributed to this thriving relationship.
The Locomotive driver, Owire, who also works as an electrical engineer and serves as the Assistant Manager and Passenger Locomotive Driver at Afristar Railway Operation Company, the company that manages the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) shared the genesis of her path as a locomotive driver, a story that impressed the judges of the competition.
In 2016, she received a scholarship from CRBC-the China Road and Bridge Corporation, to study Locomotive and Rolling Stock Engineering, a pivotal moment that set her on her remarkable trajectory.
“This was a dream come true and that is when I decided I would be the first Kenyan female locomotive driver and drive the train beyond Kenyan borders,” Owire expressed with determination during the speech competition in which she traced back her inspiration for locomotive driving when she was young and would admire trains rolling by near her home in rural Nyanza. She proceeded to China for her studies, her first experience of the country, which led her to delve into Chinese culture.
Owire’s return to Kenya in May 2017 marked a significant milestone. She was honored to be the main driver of the maiden trip of the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR railway, with former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, now president, on board.
At only 23 years old, the pressure was immense, but Owire persevered, ensuring a successful journey. She recalled, “When I stopped the train safely at Nairobi terminus, I actually cried. I knew I did it, I made myself proud, my country and my instructors were proud of me. That moment will always be engraved in my heart forever.”
The Kenyan SGR marked a historic shift in the nation’s railway transport, with Owire’s feat as the first female locomotive driver standing as a testament to progress. The competition also recognized second and third prize winners and an Excellent Award, emphasizing the contributions of Kenyan employees of Chinese enterprises who have been instrumental in strengthening Sino-Kenyan relations.
The event coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, a strategy aimed at enhancing regional integration, boosting trade, and fostering economic growth, initiated by the People’s Republic of China.
Additionally, 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kenya and China, reflecting the ever-evolving ties between the two nations.
Kenya has seen the influence of Chinese investment in various infrastructure projects, including the SGR, road transits, the Dongo Kundu Bypass in Mombasa, the Nairobi Expressway, and the manufacturing and deployment of electric buses, underscoring the profound impact of Kenya-China collaboration on the country’s development.
Chairman of the Kenya-China Parliamentary Friendship Group, Shakeel Shabbir, emphasized the significance of these connections, expressing pride in Owire’s accomplishments and highlighting the expanding relationships between the two nations. “I think things are changing, and they will continue to change,” Shabbir affirmed.
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris hailed Kenya-China partnership, saying it had not only contributed to accelerated development but also provided jobs for Kenyans.
As Kenya and China celebrate their decade-long partnership under the Belt and Road Initiative, it is clear that remarkable individuals like Concilia Owire are shaping the narrative of success in this flourishing collaboration.
