Kenya Power has unveiled an ambitious plan to install 45 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across six counties within the next year, a major milestone in the country’s transition to sustainable transportation.
The initiative will see chargers distributed throughout Nairobi, Nyeri, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Taita Taveta counties, with six strategically placed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The company has already installed three charging stations in Nairobi as part of the initial phase.
“Kenya Power is committed to enable the country’s transition to electric mobility to catalyse the reduction of carbon emissions,” said Dr. Joseph Siror, Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Power.
“Part of our plan is to create an enabling environment for players within the e-mobility ecosystem through provision of adequate power supply and the requisite infrastructure such as charging stations that will enable motorists to travel with ease.”
The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the 3rd Annual E-mobility Conference and Expo, organized in collaboration with GIZ and the Electric Mobility Association of Kenya (EMAK).
Kenya’s electric vehicle market is experiencing rapid growth, with approximately 9,047 EVs currently registered nationwide. This is a considerable increase from 2,694 in 2023 and 5,294 in 2024. The surge can be attributed to various initiatives, including the introduction of an e-mobility tariff in the current electricity pricing structure.
The expansion of charging infrastructure is expected to address one of the primary concerns for potential EV adopter – range anxiety – by ensuring that drivers can conveniently access charging facilities across major urban centers and transportation corridors.
The transport sector contributes approximately 23% of global carbon emissions. Kenya’s government has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 32% by 2030, making the shift to electric mobility a critical component of its climate strategy.
Kenya Power is actively collaborating with private sector stakeholders to identify energy and infrastructure requirements within the e-mobility space, with the hope of developing effective strategies that will accelerate EV adoption throughout the country.
Kenya Power’s Board Chairperson, Joy Brenda Masinde, emphasized the importance of governmental support in driving EV adoption. The company plans to continue working closely with authorities to advocate for policies that incentivize the transition to electric vehicles, such as tax exemptions and subsidies for EVs and charging infrastructure.
