TRACTORS IN UASIN GISHU PLATEAU

 By William Kiptoo



In the early days of the Uasin Gishu Plateau, tractors were uncommon. Settlers relied on oxen-drawn plows to cultivate their farms. They especially preferred local oxen from the Keiyo as they were hardy. Plows were made of wood, held together with metal bolts and bars.
Tractors were introduced around the 1920s and 1930s, as technology and infrastructure developed to support their use on the farms.
It was not until 1945 after World War II that a significant number of tractors began to arrive in Kenya and Uasin Gishu. While oxen remained a source of power on larger farms, tractors gradually became more prevalent.
Massey Ferguson and Fordson models were popular choices. Other brands like Zetor, Fendt, and New Holland were also available, with Zetor exports to Kenya starting as early as 1965. Massey Ferguson models like the MF-360 and MF-375 were particularly well-suited to Kenya's agricultural demands and became favorites among farmers.

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