When you think of Japan, one thing to comes to mind is innovation. From technology to architecture, art, and engineering, Japan is clearly an industrial behemoth.
In 2023, the country was ranked 5th globally for high-quality scientific research output. Japan also ranks second only to South Korea in robot density in manufacturing, cementing its leadership in technology.
What you might find surprising to learn is that Kenyans are at the forefront of Japan’s engineering muscle. A perfect example is Nakuru-born Victor Nago Maina, who is one of the brains behind Japan’s technological innovations and a leader in matters of civil engineering.
Speaking in an interview with Chams Media, Maina, who is a Starehe Boys Centre alumnus, revealed that he relocated to Japan in 2002 after the Japanese government extended a scholarship to Kenyan high school students.
“My teacher encouraged me to seize the scholarship opportunity,” said Maina. “I sat for the test, passed, and relocated to Japan.”
Despite qualifying for the scholarship, he would later sit for other tests assessing his proficiency in maths, chemistry, biology, and Japanese.
That was how the old boy of Starehe Boys Centre got his start as an engineer in Japan. However, his dreams of joining the revered profession began way before he joined Starehe.
“When I was around 11, I was tasked with the project of building a poultry house by myself. I had to source timber, nails, other materials, and budget for them to build the house. I think that is where my passion for engineering started,” said Maina.
On landing in Japan for the scholarship, he joined Osaka University to study civil engineering, specialising in structural engineering. There were no other Kenyans in the university, with the number of other Africans being limited to 2 or 3.
However, Maina’s youth, passion, and the excitement of meeting new people and learning new things helped curb his loneliness.
Aside from the loneliness, there was the not-so-slight issue of adapting to the Japanese culture. “Culture shock is when you expect people to treat you in one way, and they end up treating you differently,” he said.
However, he adapted and made it through his 4-year course before enrolling for a master’s degree.
“The scholarship gave me an option to go back home or look for a job in Japan. I decided that since I had already spent seven years as a student learning the Japanese language and culture, it would be a waste of time for me to go back home without seeking some job experience,” said Maina.
After some job hunting, he landed a job as a design engineer in a company that specialized in building steel bridges.
As an engineer, some of his notable accomplishments include designing the cable-steeled Nhat Tan Bridge in Hanoi, Vietnam, as well as a Mumbai-based bridge, which he says took 7 years of planning.
Mina’s work has not only accorded him much praise but also accolades in other countries like Bangladesh, Turkey, Istanbul, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Recently, he was appointed as part of the committee of the Indian Road Congress to assist in the review of designed roads.
Despite his success, what fills his heart with pride is knowing that he is not alone and that other Kenyans are also excelling in this field.
“Many Kenyan civil engineers are working in Japan, and we often talk and socialize,” said Maina. “Our main networking platform is the Association of Kenyans in Japan. However, we also meet in professional circles.”
His dream is to one day take his skills back to Kenya and execute a world-class project that will change lives.