Car & General (Trading) Limited, in partnership with TVS Motor Company and The Nyeri National Polytechnic, today officially inaugurated the TVS Motorcycles Training Center at The Nyeri National Polytechnic, marking a significant milestone in strengthening technical skills and professional training for Kenya's fast-growing two-wheeler industry.
The Training Center was jointly inaugurated by George Rubiri, General Manager, Car & General (Trading) Limited; Pradeep Chaurasiya, Business Head - Africa, International Business, TVS Motor Company; and Rachel Kimani, Chief Principal, The Nyeri National Polytechnic.
The new 225-square-metre facility is designed to provide specialized training in motorcycle technology, repair, maintenance, diagnostics, and emerging mobility solutions, equipping students and industry practitioners with practical skills required by the sector, empowering learners with marketable skills that can lead to employment as certified technicians, establishment of motorcycle repair workshops or growth of spare parts businesses, creating sustainable livelihoods and supporting Kenya’s growing mobility sector.
Valued at over USD 30,000, the facility features a modern 30-seater classroom equipped with a digital projector, TVS motorcycle training engines, special tools, two TVS motorcycles, an air compressor, tyre changing machine, wheel alignment machine, and two motorcycle service ramps.
The launch comes at a time when Kenya's two-wheeler economy continues to play an increasingly important role in national development. The industry encompasses motorcycle transport, boda boda services, delivery and logistics, spare parts, repairs and maintenance, financing, insurance, and the growing electric mobility segment. It is estimated that more than 2.5 million Kenyans depend directly or indirectly on the sector for their livelihoods, while the industry contributes approximately KSh 660 billion annually to the economy.
Beyond mobility, motorcycles support agriculture, trade, digital commerce, financial inclusion, healthcare access, education and rural development by connecting communities to jobs, markets, schools and essential services.
Speaking during the launch, George Rubiri, General Manager of Car & General (Trading) Limited, said the center represents an important investment in the future of Kenya's mobility ecosystem.
"The motorcycle industry has evolved into one of Kenya's most important economic sectors, creating employment, enabling entrepreneurship and supporting millions of livelihoods. As the industry grows, the need for professionally trained technicians becomes even more critical. This Training Center is our contribution toward building the technical capabilities required to support a safer, more productive and increasingly locally manufactured mobility industry."
Mr. Rubiri noted that Car & General, which is marking 90 years since its inception, has partnered with TVS Motor Company for over 25 years, providing customers across Kenya with quality motorcycles, genuine spare parts and after-sales support, while assembling TVS motorcycles locally in Nakuru.
Pradeep Chaurasiya, Business Head - Africa for International Business at TVS Motor Company, emphasized the importance of skills development in supporting sustainable industry growth.
"TVS Motor Company believes that skills development is fundamental to strengthening the mobility sector. This Training Center will provide learners with access to modern motorcycle technologies and industry-relevant knowledge while supporting the development of a skilled workforce that can meet the changing needs of the market. We are proud to partner with Car & General and The Nyeri National Polytechnic in creating opportunities for young people and advancing technical excellence in Kenya."
TVS Motor Company is one of India's leading manufacturers of two and three-wheelers and has maintained a strong presence in Kenya through its long-standing distribution partnership with Car & General.
For Rachel Kimani, Chief Principal of The Nyeri National Polytechnic, the facility demonstrates the value of industry-academia collaboration in preparing graduates for the workplace.
"Technical and vocational education must remain closely connected to industry if we are to produce graduates who are ready for employment and entrepreneurship. The TVS Motorcycles Training Center will enrich our training capabilities, expose learners to current industry technologies and strengthen the practical competencies required in the modern mobility sector. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to quality skills development and national economic growth."
Established in 1977, The Nyeri National Polytechnic is one of Kenya's leading public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, offering programs in engineering and technology, computing and informatics, agriculture and environmental studies, automotive engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, and other professional disciplines.
The new center is expected to help bridge the skills gap within the motorcycle industry by providing hands-on training aligned to real-world industry requirements while fostering innovation, safety and professionalism across the sector.
The partners noted that the initiative marks the beginning of a broader collaboration between industry and academia aimed at strengthening technical education, supporting local manufacturing, and enhancing the competitiveness of Kenya's mobility economy.
