Paul Arithi 
Mohamed Ibrahim, Managing Director of Mantrac Kenya
Mantrac Kenya, the Caterpillar sole authorised dealer representative in the country, hosted a landmark centennial celebration in Nairobi, commemorating 100 years of Caterpillar globally and 100 years of Caterpillar’s presence in Kenya.
The event brought together senior government representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, Caterpillar executives, Mantrac leadership, customers, partners, and members of the media, underlining the significance of Caterpillar’s century long partnership with Kenya.
A Historic Celebration
The ceremony, moderated by celebrated journalist and news anchor Tom Mboya, opened with a welcome speech by Mohamed Ibrahim, Managing Director of Mantrac Kenya, who highlighted Caterpillar’s role in Kenya’s growth story and reaffirmed Mantrac Kenya’s commitment to powering the next century of progress.
Representing Mantrac Group, Nigel Lewis, Chief Operating Officer, also addressed the gathering. “The story of Caterpillar in Kenya mirrors our global journey, it is a story of vision transformed into reality.
From roads and infrastructure that fuel the country’s growth, to expanding production at farms, to power for small communities and even modern data centres, our machines and power generation solutions have helped turn the government’s vision and people’s ambitions into realities, and tangible opportunities for the next generation.
This centennial is not only a celebration of the past but a promise to continue building Kenya’s future together.”
Then he continued “Mantrac is honoured to be part of Kenya’s story of growth and progress.We have just signed off on a plan to sponsor 1000 pupils over the coming five years, and we will do whatever it takes, from classroom building and finishing, to water supply, to power provision whether solar or regular, to reach this goal.”
Lavanya Ajesh, Vice President Distribution – Africa of Caterpillar delivered keynote remarks on behalf of Caterpillar, reflecting on the company’s 100-year journey and vision for the future, “It is a privilege to mark 100 years of doing what we do best together with our trusted partner Mantrac.
Their long-term investment in Kenya has created continuity and impact, ensuring we remain close to local markets and responsive to customer needs.
At Caterpillar, we believe in doing the right thing even when nobody is watching, and that commitment extends beyond business.
Through the Caterpillar Foundation, we have invested more than 24 million US dollars since 2015 to support communities across the countries where Mantrac operates.
While our products may look different from a century ago, our mission remains the same: to power growth, uplift communities, and build Kenya, one century at a time.”
Panel Discussion – Infrastructure and Youth Empowerment
On stage were Lavanya Ajesh, Vice President Distribution – Africa of Caterpillar; Mohamed Ibrahim, Managing Director of Mantrac Kenya; PS Charles Hinga, Principal Secretary for Housing; Frédérique Duranton, CFO of Mantrac Group; and 14-year-old innovator Samuel Omochi, who impressed the audience by driving his homemade backhoe loader onto the stage.
The session, moderated by Tom Mboya, combined government vision, corporate leadership, and community inspiration.
Samuel shared how he built his machine out of scrap materials through months of trial and error, driven by a dream to one day become an engineer.His story moved both the audience and the panellists, sparking a series of powerful exchanges.
PS Charles Hinga pledged to help Samuel and his family live in proper housing with dignity, linking his determination to Kenya’s wider housing ambitions.
“Housing is not just four walls and a roof, it is dignity and opportunity,” he said. “We have already built more than 200,000 housing units, and we are going to the market to raise a billion dollars to build more.
Caterpillar and Mantrac are key partners in this journey.”
Mohamed Ibrahim stressed that Mantrac’s mission is about more than machines. “When we build a road, we do not simply provide machines to lay asphalt. We improve lives, like the Kisumu Road that allowed fishermen to bring their catch to Nairobi markets.”
He confirmed Mantrac’s commitment to Samuel’s future, including tuition support, an internship, and enrolment in Caterpillar’s Technicians for the World programme.
Lavanya Ajesh celebrated Samuel’s determination while highlighting Caterpillar’s global outlook. “Caterpillar is active in more than 190 countries, bringing together global expertise and local knowledge.
Our products today look very different from 100 years ago, and with AI and digitalisation, they will continue to evolve. We will keep powering into the future.”
Frédérique Duranton affirmed Mantrac Group’s commitment to nurturing talent. “Across our 12 territories we work with local talent, and Samuel is exactly the kind of driven, innovative young person who represents the future.
Mantrac also has the financial capabilities to support customers in four different ways, including Almasi Finance in Kenya, as well as partnerships with four of the most important banks in Kenya.”
The session also featured a live testimonial from a Caterpillar operator, who spoke of the comfort and reliability of Caterpillar machines, as well as the resilience and dedication required in the profession. “Samuel is inspiring, and I know he will go very far,” he said.
In addition, a senior executive from one of Mantrac’s major contractor clients, Roben Aberdare CEO Daniel Wamahiu, took the floor to share a customer’s perspective:
“Working with Caterpillar machines has been central to the success of our projects. Their reliability, efficiency, and service support from Mantrac make a real difference in our operations.
It is encouraging to see the next generation, like Samuel, take inspiration from these machines, because they symbolise opportunity and progress.” He also pledged to provide Samuel with a smartphone and a laptop so that he can explore technology and see the world more clearly.
The panel closed with a unifying message: Samuel’s story is a reminder that Caterpillar’s centennial is not just about celebrating a century of machines, but about celebrating people, communities, and the opportunities created along the way.
A Day of Reflection and Partnership;
The celebration also included cultural performances, networking sessions, and a showcase of Caterpillar’s history and innovations in Kenya.
Guests reflected on Caterpillar’s contribution to roads, bridges, dams, schools, hospitals, and digital connectivity, and its continued role in supporting Kenya Vision 2030.
The day concluded with heartfelt recognition of some of Mantrac’s most valued customers, longest-serving employees, and the dedicated service team whose commitment underpins the company’s success.
To close the celebrations on a high note, a raffle with prizes worth over KSh 1 million, a generator, and a trip to Malaga Spain held, bringing excitement and joy to the audience and sealing the event as a truly memorable milestone.
