It is two decades since the Zetor brand was sold in Kenya, and during 70 years of making tractors, the firm has exported just 50 units to the country (first 25 delivered in 1965, the rest in 1997). Now the Czech tractor maker is hoping to put the brand back on the map through new partner Automobile Warehouse.
Zetor’s new Kenyan partner is currently building a showroom and test centre in Nakuru; the country’s second largest city after Nairobi. When the new 9ha site opens early next year it will provide a covered area of 2,800m². Popular crops in the country include cereals, sugar cane, and exotic flowers for exporting to Europe. Half of the roughly 900 tractors sold in Kenya each year are in the power range of 80-100hp. The Czech tractor maker continues to increase its presence in Africa, and after Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Zambia, Kenya is now the fifth African country where Zetor is now active.