The historic Kericho Wagon Works, first established in 1925 by the revered Sikh saint Sant Baba Puran Singh Ji, celebrated its 100th anniversary with a landmark relaunch at its original workshop on Isaac Salat Road (formerly Garage Road).
Kericho Wagon Works, originally established to build timber wagons for the tea industry, remains a landmark of cultural, industrial, and spiritual heritage. Today, it stands poised to continue its legacy by equipping local people with skills, creating pathways to employment, and contributing to Kenya’s wider economic ambitions.
It stands as a multifaceted symbol, an industrial workshop, a museum, and a spiritual monument, rooted in the legacy of Sant Baba Puran Singh Ji. It reflects his commitment to service, heritage, skill-building, and community development. The relaunch event was led by Dr Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji OBE KSG, Chair of the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), an international faith-based organisation inspired by the teachings of Sikhism and the legacy of Sant Baba Puran Singh Ji, which also celebrated its Goden Jubilee, now serves as custodian of the Kericho Wagon Works site and continues its mission of selfless service, skills development, and community regeneration.
Attended by local residents, workers, and members of the Sikh congregation from across the UK, USA, India, Canada, and Africa, celebrations included the singing of sacred hymns, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and warm exchanges between visitors and the local community. The restored workshop will not only preserve an important piece of Kenya’s industrial and cultural heritage but will also actively contribute to national development priorities.
Its revitalisation is expected to create local employment, provide vocational skills training, stimulate small-scale manufacturing, and boost Kericho’s profile as a heritage tourism destination. These goals are in direct alignment with the Government of Kenya’s Vision 2030 blueprint, which emphasises industrial growth, job creation, and cultural preservation as key drivers of economic transformation.
By blending heritage preservation with modern vocational training, Kericho Wagon Works aims to become a model for values-led, sustainable economic regeneration. Speaking about the event, Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji reaffirmed the workshop’s commitment to the faith-inspired principles laid down by Sant Baba Puran Singh Ji a century ago, principles rooted in Nishkam sewa (selfless service), craftsmanship, and community upliftment.
A special commemorative coin was issued to mark the centenary, inscribed with “100th Anniversary of Kericho Wagon Works, 1925–2025.” The reverse carried the timeless message “Simran, Seva, Keertan” (prayer, service, and singing of divine hymns), symbolising the enduring spirit of faith, selfless service, and devotion that shaped the workshop’s founding ethos.
The coin now stands as a lasting keepsake, honouring both the legacy of Kericho Wagon Works and the values that continue to inspire future generations.
