George Rubiri, the General Manager of Car & General (Trading) Limited, has been elected as the new chairperson of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers’ (KAM) motorcycle sub-sector. He takes over from Alvin Mageto, a former director at Kibo Africa Limited, who has served in the role since 2021.
Rubiri assumes leadership at a critical time for the motorcycle industry in Kenya, which plays a key role in the country’s transport and economic ecosystems. In his new role, Rubiri will offer strategic leadership to the sector, conduct annual performance reviews, and present findings to the KAM Board through its Secretariat. Additionally, he will represent the sub-sector in various national and regional forums and will be responsible for escalating pertinent issues to KAM’s advisory committee for arbitration when necessary.
Tobias Alando, KAM’s Chief Executive Officer, welcomed Rubiri’s election, highlighting the need for visionary leadership to strengthen the motorcycle industry’s contribution to Kenya’s manufacturing and economic development. “Key to success will be offering strategic leadership to the sector,” Alando stated.
Rubiri expressed gratitude for the opportunity and acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor. “First, I want to thank Alvin Mageto for his dedication and commitment during his tenure. I believe I will fit in his shoes and move the sector forward. The motorcycle industry is very important to the Kenyan economy and cannot be wished away,” he said. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and teamwork to ensure the sector continues to thrive.
The position of chairperson in the sub-sector is voluntary and runs for a two-year term, renewable once.
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers, founded in 1959, is a premier business association representing Kenya’s industrial sector. Car & General, Rubiri’s current employer, was instrumental in pioneering the use of two- and three-wheelers as taxis in Kenya over 20 years ago. With this background, Rubiri is expected to bring a wealth of experience and insight to his new leadership role, especially as the sector navigates regulatory changes and increased demand for affordable transport solutions.
