On December 13, 2024, ahead of the highly anticipated UD Trucks customer launch in Mombasa, Isuzu East Africa (Isuzu EA) hosted a special employee session at the Final Line, bringing together key executives from Isuzu Motors Limited (IML) and UD Trucks Corporation (UDT).
The session provided Isuzu EA employees with a unique opportunity to engage with senior leaders from both organizations. The UD Trucks Corporation team was led by Chairman Mr. Koichi Ito, while the Isuzu Motors Limited delegation was headed by Director of the Board and Managing Executive Officer, Mr. Tetsuya Ikemoto.
In her address, Chair of the Board and Managing Director, Rita Kavashe, attributed Isuzu EA’s success to the team’s unwavering commitment to the company’s core values of customer focus, relationships, and excellence. She highlighted that the partnership with UD Trucks would bring great value to customers, expressing gratitude to Isuzu Motors Limited and UD Trucks Corporation for their confidence in Isuzu EA’s ability to represent both brands in East Africa.
UD Trucks Corporation Chairman, Mr. Koichi Ito, commended the partnership, expressing pride in being associated with the Isuzu EA brand and its dedicated, high-performing team. He emphasized the significance of Kenya as the first global market where a single distributor manages both the UD Trucks and Isuzu brands, and he personally thanked everyone involved in making the collaboration a reality.
Isuzu Motors Limited Director of the Board and Managing Executive Officer, Mr. Tetsuya Ikemoto, lauded Rita Kavashe for her outstanding leadership over the years and praised the Isuzu EA team for their strong spirit of collaboration, which further solidified IML’s trust in Isuzu EA’s ability to drive the UD Trucks partnership forward.
A key highlight of the event was the symbolic exchange of gifts, signifying appreciation, respect, and the deepening partnership between the teams. Mr. Koichi Ito, Mr. Tetsuya Ikemoto, and UD Trucks MEENA President, Mourad Hedna, were honored in a special ceremony.
They were inducted as “Isuzu EA Elders”, a gesture of appreciation and unity by being gifted and sitting on the honorary traditional three-legged Chief’s stool while holding the ceremonial fly whisk.
The event reaffirmed Isuzu EA’s commitment to excellence, collaboration, and innovation, marking an exciting new chapter as the company expands its offerings and strengthens its market presence.

Mourad Hedna, President of UD Trucks MEENA, presents a gift to Isuzu EA Chair of the Board and Managing Director, Rita Kavashe, symbolizing the strong partnership between the two brands.

Chairman of UD Trucks Corporation, Koichi Ito, hands over a decorative plate featuring weeping cherry blossoms against a golden background, a symbol of prosperity and abundance to commemorate the beginning of the Isuzu EA and UD Trucks partnership.

Isuzu Motors Limited Director of the Board and Managing Executive Officer, Mr. Tetsuya Ikemoto, presents a painting of The Red Fuji and flying cranes to Isuzu EA Chair of the Board and Managing Director. The artwork, depicting Mt. Fuji illuminated red by the morning sun, represents business prosperity and the fulfillment of wishes, while the cranes symbolize longevity and success for the UD Trucks and Isuzu EA collaboration.

Mourad Hedna, President of UD Trucks MEENA receives a carved elephant from Isuzu EA Chair of the Board and Managing Director, Rita Kavashe, a tribute to the elephant’s legendary memory, symbolizing the lasting impression UD Trucks has made in East Africa and celebrating its re-entry into the market.

A carving of twin giraffes, representing determination and a forward-looking vision, are presented to Chairman of UD Trucks Corporation, Koichi Ito as a symbol of the bright future for UD Trucks and Isuzu East Africa.

Isuzu EA Chair of the Board and Managing Director, Rita Kavashe gifts Isuzu Motors Limited Director of the Board and Managing Executive Officer, Mr. Tetsuya Ikemoto, with a carved baobab tree, an African icon known for its resilience and medicinal value, fondly referred to as the "Tree of Life," symbolizing Isuzu Motors Limited as a source of strength and longevity for Isuzu EA.

Chairman of UD Trucks Corporation, Koichi Ito, is formally inducted as an Isuzu EA elder in a traditional ceremony, marking a significant moment in the partnership.

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Isuzu Motors Limited Director of the Board and Managing Executive Officer, Mr. Tetsuya Ikemoto, proudly holds up the ceremonial fly whisk after his induction as an Isuzu EA elder,