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Mantrac signs deal to fund classrooms at Nairobi school
St Mary's Karen Primary and Junior School is dealing with overcrowding and a shortage of learning space, particularly as it expands to accommodate the new Grade 9 level under the Competency-Based Curriculum
Mantrac Kenya, a supplier of heavy machinery and power systems, has signed an agreement with the Rotary Club of Karen to fund completion of unfinished St Mary’s Karen Primary and Junior School classrooms in Nairobi.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed at the school grounds, outlines a partnership that will see Mantrac finance and oversee the construction work, while Rotary will handle coordination, community engagement, and progress monitoring.
“This partnership is not just about buildings. It’s about giving children the space they need to learn, grow, and eventually contribute to this country’s future,” Mantrac Kenya Managing Director Mohamed Ibrahim said.
The school, part of Kenya’s public education system, is dealing with overcrowding and a shortage of learning space, particularly as it expands to accommodate the new Grade 9 level under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Under the agreement, Mantrac will fund the completion of four classrooms, including structural work, electrical fittings, flooring and paintwork.
The construction will be executed by contracted professionals under Mantrac’s supervision.
Rotary’s role will include community liaison and documentation of the project, with oversight from the school’s administration and the Ministry of Education.
“This is not just about finishing classrooms. It’s about creating a better learning environment for students who deserve more,” said Linet Ayuko, President of the Rotary Club of Karen.
The initiative comes as the two institutions mark centenary milestones, a 100 years of Caterpillar’s global operations, and a century of Rotary’s presence in Africa.
By contributing to education infrastructure, the two companies are positioning themselves as development actors in markets where future growth depends on improved public services and skilled labor.
The public learning institution that is located on the edge of the Kibera informal settlement has seen a steady increase in student numbers.
“With the new Grade 9 curriculum rolling out, we simply don’t have enough classrooms,” said Louis Okodoi, Chairman of the school’s Board of Governors.
With limited government resources available for infrastructure expansion, schools in similar settings are increasingly turning to private and community partnerships to meet demand.
