Victor Maina is a Kenyan-born engineer renowned for being behind most of the iconic Japanese landmarks.
According to Victor, his journey as an engineer began when the Japanese offered a scholarship for secondary school students.
“I came to Japan 23 years ago, in 2002. The Japanese government extended a scholarship to high school students. I was lucky that a certain teacher believed it was a good opportunity for me,” Victor stated in an interview with the Daring Abroad.
Victor’s Early Life and Educational Background
Victor was born in Nakuru, Kenya, and relocated to Japan in 2002.
Before relocating to Japan, Victor studied in Kenya and is an alumnus of the Starehe Boys Center, where he completed his secondary education.
The scholarship was straightforward and required him to submit the necessary information: his name and grades.
However, he needed to take separate tests in math, chemistry, biology, and Japanese to be eligible for the scholarship.
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After getting a scholarship in Japan, he joined the Osaka University, where he experienced culture shock as he pursued his structural engineering course.
According to Victor, there were few Kenyans at the University, making it difficult for him to connect with people of different nationalities.
During his studies, the scholarship recipient had the option to return or find a job and work in the host country, Japan.
Having spent a lot of time learning and understanding the Japanese Culture, Victor decided to invest in Japan.
“So, after seven years, one year of Japanese language school, four years of bachelor’s, and two years of master’s, I thought it would be a waste that I’ve spent so much time trying to adapt,” Maina commented.
Career and Achievements
His passion for engineering started when he was only 11 years old. His first project was building a chicken coop.
In narrating his Journey, Victor recalled the project in which he was asked to budget for everything required to build the chicken coop.
Upon completing his education, Maina started job hunting in Japan, which was easy as long as one had proper guidance on how to apply, as he explained.
His dream, according to him, is to bridge the gap between Japan and Kenya and bring the skills he acquired to Kenya.
He was first hired as a design engineer by a company that specializes in steel bridges.
Notable work by Victor Maina includes the Atal Setu bridge, which is the longest sea bridge in India. During the construction of the bridge, Maina worked as the design lead.
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In addition, with Victor’s guidance, he oversaw the construction of the cable-stayed Nhatan Bridge in Hanoi, Vietnam.
He was also involved in a 7-year project in Mumbai. In Japan, he led a project on the number 42 bridge.
Victor’s work has earned him not only praise but also accolades in other countries, including Bangladesh, Turkey, Istanbul, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Through the Kenyans in Japan Association (KIJA), Victor networks with other professional engineers in Japan.
Recently, he’s been nominated to be part of a committee in the Indian Road Congress (IRC) to assist in the review of design codes.
