By Robert Mutasi 
More than 100 mechanics from across the North Rift region converged on Eldoret on Sunday as Vivo Energy Kenya held its second annual Mechanics Wellness Day, an event dedicated to honouring the skilled professionals who power Kenya’s transport, agriculture and industrial sectors.
Running under the theme Celebrating the People Behind Kenya’s Mobility Ecosystem, the day blended sports, recreation and healthcare into a single celebration of a trade that rarely receives public recognition despite its centrality to the country’s economy.
From tractors preparing farmland in the fertile Rift Valley to long-haul trucks ferrying fresh produce to Nairobi and buses linking rural communities to urban centres, none of it moves without a mechanic behind the scenes. It is this critical role that Vivo Energy Kenya, the company that markets and distributes Shell products in Kenya, sought to celebrate.
Speaking during the event, Stephen Gikonyo, Lubricants and LPG Sales and Marketing Manager at Vivo Energy Kenya, said the wellness day was about appreciating the hands that keep Kenya moving.
“This day is about celebrating and thanking the skilled men and women whose hands keep Kenya moving. Behind every safe journey, every successful delivery and every successful harvest is a mechanic whose expertise makes it possible. Through Shell Lubricants, we are proud to stand alongside these professionals by investing not only in high quality products, but also in their health, skills and wellbeing. We believe that behind every mechanic should be a partner that cares, and today’s event is a reflection of that commitment,” Gikonyo said.
The wellness focus was deliberate, addressing the unique occupational hazards that mechanics face daily. Ezra Omwancha of Equity Afya, who partnered in the event, said the profession takes a heavy physical toll on those who practise it.
“Mechanics often work long hours in confined spaces, lift heavy equipment, and are regularly exposed to physically demanding conditions. Through this initiative, we are providing free health screening and related medical services to help ensure they remain healthy and able to continue supporting Kenya’s transport and agricultural sectors,” Omwancha said.
During the event, mechanics received free medical check-ups, including blood pressure, diabetes, eye screening and general consultations, alongside health education on workplace safety and ergonomics.
Beyond health, the day was turned into a community occasion. Participants took part in football matches, pool, darts and a range of indoor games, with their families and industry partners joining in the fun. The lively competitions fostered camaraderie and teamwork among mechanics who often compete for business but rarely get a chance to interact socially.
The day closed with an awards ceremony recognising winners of the sporting competitions, giving the event a celebratory finish.
Beyond the annual event, Vivo Energy Kenya said it continues to support mechanics through its Shell Lubricants platform via technical training, product knowledge sessions, safety education and access to quality lubrication solutions aimed at helping workshops improve service quality and build customer trust.
The company said these efforts reflect a broader vision of investing in the people who underpin Kenya’s mobility ecosystem, viewing that investment as inseparable from the country’s wider economic growth.