In the heart of Meru stands a business that has withstood the test of time. This is a business that was established at the turn of the 20th century. It continues to run to this day.
Meru town’s Biashara Street, known for its businesses owned by Indian entrepreneurs, is where this old business stands. Today, Mahomed Moti & Sons Ltd is not just an ordinary business; it has become a landmark.
It was established by Mahomed Moti, an Indian trader from Kutiana village in Kathiawar, India, where he owned a cotton ginnery at 29 years old. However, in 1896, Mr. Moti packed his bags and set sail on a dhow for South Africa.
He arrived in Mombasa for a brief stop, where he met other Indians who persuaded him to settle in Kenya. Embracing the idea, he became a trader and, in the following years, established Mahomed Moti & Sons Ltd.
By 1911, when Meru was declared a township by Commissioner Edward Butler Horne, Mr. Moti’s business was already well-established and thriving.
Interestingly, it was named ‘Mahomed’ after British officers misspelt the name due to Moti’s heavy Indian accent.
During its heydays, the business earned the nickname ‘Duka La Serikali’ as it was frequented by colonialists. Today, it deals in electronics, spare parts, machinery, and equipment.
Its survival for over 120 years can largely be attributed to the quality services it has provided over the years and its closely-knit relationship with the Meru County Government.
Like many Indian businesses, which are often family-run enterprises, Mr. Moti’s business is now managed by one of his grandsons, Mr. Majid Suleman.
“My grandfather stayed in Mombasa for a while and travelled to Nairobi on foot where he established a textile business. After about two years in Nairobi, the British colonial government asked to open shops in the Northern Frontier District. He came by foot with potter and an Ox wagon,” Mr Suleman said in a past interview.
He revealed that upon his grandfather’s arrival on the Kenyan coast, he began selling groceries, textiles, canned beef, and biscuits, which were popular among the British.
Over the years, Mahomed Moti & Sons Ltd expanded its base to include hardware, petroleum products, maize flour milling, and cereals.
Additionally, Moti became a respected agent representing several companies and distributing their products across the Mt. Kenya region and the Northern Frontier District.
“The British asked him to open more shops in northern Kenya. By this time, more Indians were coming to Meru. My grandfather would mentor them to open new branches. In total, my grandfather operated about 65 shops across the country,” he said.
In the 1920s, Moti’s business was a force in the region. He was a major supplier for the British colonial government in Kenya. He was also the only source of maize meal for the Meru prison and the only fuel distributor.
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“My grandfather was a very smart businessman to manage 65 branches and make profits without computers,” Moti’s grandson narrated further.
Unfortunately, Mr. Moti’s life was cut short by pneumonia in 1930 while he was in Nairobi. His sons took over the business and they had a good run during the Second World War between 1939 and 1945.
The Moti family was also pioneers in introducing Public Service Vehicles that operated on the Nairobi-Meru route. Mr. Majid Suleman emphasized that their grandfather built the business solely on the principles of quality and trustworthiness.
“I am informed that my grandfather would travel to northern Kenya to check on his businesses. He also knew how to mentor others.”
Interestingly, Mr. Moti was among the instrumental people who pioneered the construction of the Jamia Mosque in Nairobi between 1902 and 1906.
Moti also encouraged the developers to set aside a row of shops (Jamia Mall) nearby the mosque to sustain it.
“My grandfather was visionary…He loved Meru so much. He used to say anyone who does not make money in Meru must be very lazy,” Mr. Moti’s grandson recounted.
