Petroleum remains the country’s single largest import line item, draining scarce dollars and exposing the economy to global oil shocks. In 2023 alone, fuel imports hit KES 628.4 billion, nearly double the KES 348.3 billion recorded in 2021. This is according to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. The broader annual petroleum bill is estimated at about US$5 billion a heavy weight on foreign exchange reserves in an economy already managing currency pressure and rising debt servicing costs. It is this macroeconomic reality, not just climate ambition, that framed the launch of Kenya’s National Electric Mobility Policy.
Speaking at the event, Davis Chirchir positioned electric vehicles less as a green choice and more as an economic hedge.
“Electric mobility is no longer optional,” he said. “It is a strategic necessity.”
The numbers suggest momentum. Kenya’s cumulative EV registrations have surged from 1,378 units in 2022 to 39,324. This is in 2025, a more than 2,700% jump in just three years. Much of that growth is coming from electric motorcycles in the boda boda segment, the backbone of last-mile transport. For riders, lower fuel and maintenance costs translate directly into higher daily income a compelling market signal in a price-sensitive economy.
Policy incentives aim to accelerate that shift. The Finance Bill 2025 zero-rates VAT and excise duty on electric buses, motorcycles, bicycles and lithium-ion batteries, reducing upfront costs for both operators and assemblers. The government also unveiled green reflective number plates to formally identify fully electric vehicles, a small but symbolic step toward mainstream adoption.
Key Data Snapshot
| Metric | Growth/Impact |
| Import Bill | KES 628.4 Billion [2023] |
| EV Registrations | 2,700% jump [2022–2025] |
| Energy Mix | >90% Renewable [Domestic] |
| Finance Bill 2025 | Zero-rated VAT/Excise on buses & batteries |
Crucially, Kenya starts with a structural advantage: energy. With over 90% of electricity generated from geothermal, hydro and wind, EVs can run largely on clean, domestic power unlike many markets that simply shift emissions from tailpipes to coal plants.
That creates space for new industries. Local assembly, battery services, charging infrastructure and financing could form an entirely new value chain. Development partners are already leaning in. The International Finance Corporation says it is supporting the regulatory framework to attract private capital into manufacturing and charging networks.
Challenges remain. Charging stations are concentrated in Nairobi. Short-term financing for assemblers is thin. And supply continues to lag demand.
