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Friday, 29 May 2026
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Energy·Trade & Economy

Nairobi passengers increasingly choose cheaper, quieter electric motorcycle rides

Friday, 29 May 2026, 06:45 · 1 min read

Electric vehicles are quietly transforming how Nairobi residents get around, with the number of EVs in Kenya rising from fewer than 800 to nearly 25,000 between 2022 and 2025 — a 32-fold increase. The shift is led by boda bodas (motorcycle taxis), which now make up at least 90% of registered EVs in the country; drivers like Jacob Sikunyi say they spend one-third of what they previously paid for petrol, allowing them to offer slightly lower fares. Electric buses are also gaining passengers, drawn by quieter rides, predictable schedules, and fares 10–20 Kenyan shillings cheaper than conventional matatus (minibuses) — a meaningful saving as fuel prices have surged nearly 40% since 2022. However, the economics remain complicated: electric motorbikes cost twice as much as petrol equivalents upfront, while electric buses can run seven times the price of combustion-engine models, prompting operators to warn that comfort and reliability — rather than cost alone — may ultimately be what keeps customers on board.

Sources
Christian Science MonitorIn Nairobi, passengers queue for cheaper, quieter electric rides ↗︎
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