Localisation remains key if the country is to unlock the full promise of electric mobility. The EV sector is not a theoretical opportunity anymore, it is here, and it aligns with three urgent national priorities: creating jobs, improving public health, and strengthening the fiscal base. But if we are to succeed, localization must be framed more broadly than just assembling vehicles. For nearly 40 years, the real disruptor of Kenya’s auto industry has been second-hand imports, now over 80% of the market. EVs are not the enemy—they are the lever to transform both our industrial and energy landscape. Every…
Author: By Moses Nderitu
Electric Vehicle on display during the unveiling of Kenya’s first-ever zero-emissions electric vehicle designed to compete in the Rhino Charge. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard] You have probably heard of the classic paradox: the chicken and the egg. Which came first? It’s a timeless question but one that perfectly illustrates the challenge facing Kenya’s electric mobility transition. People are hesitant to buy electric vehicles (EVs) without readily accessible charging infrastructure, yet investment often lags behind until there is sufficient demand for Electric Vehicles. According to the Electric Mobility Association of Kenya (EMAK), some 9,047 EVs are registered in Kenya, up from 2,694 in 2023 and 5,294 in 2024. These…