By Peter Ochieng
Residents of Kisumu drawn from various sectors have had an opportunity to share views on the adoption of electric vehicles in the country.
Speaking during a public participation forum at the Rotary Club, Raymond Stephen Ouma, Director, Urban Shuttle Matatu Sacco said the country is ready to embrace e-mobility but there are several issues that must be put in place first, before ‘full blown takeoff’ is experienced.
He said the first issue that must be addressed is the cost.
“We welcome this program, but the issue of cost is key. As a young man, I cannot afford two or three 14-seater electric matatus,” he said.
However, the cost of an electric vehicle in Kenya is still not that clear.
“We need the government to engage us on how it is going to subsidise the cost, or we come up with ideas on how to finance this young people in the matatu industry in my order for them to purchase those vehicles,” added Ochieng.
Winnie Atieno Ouma, a student persuing an electronics course at Kisumu YMCA said it is high time the e-mobility technology be introduced in the Technical and Vocational Education Training Centres (TVETs).
On his part, Daniel Ngomi, the chairman of the electric mobility taskforce on behalf of his colleagues said their role is to enhance the adoption of e-mobility in the country.
As such, he said they were talking to various stakeholders, across the country to make the move a seemless reality.
The Kisumu public participation forum went on alongside similar exercises in places such as Eldoret, Mombasa and Isiolo.
“The world is changing. We are moving away from the normal vehicle which use petroleum to electric vehicles a cross the world. There are some counties that by the year 2030, 2032 they will completely stop using normal vehicles on the roads,” he said.
“Kenya must take the lead in Africa,” he added.
Ngomi said with technology, some electric vehicles have been created to go for up to 2,000 kilometers on a single battery charge.
“Vehicles can be connected to an electric grid through KPLC or through solar. As the world progresses, more and more chargers will come close to where we are. To our homes, villages and public spots,” added Ngomi.
He said vehicles will be charged overnight, or for between 15 to 30 minutes for quick charging.
In September, 2023, President William Ruto said his government was committed to enhancing the country’s climate action by adopting low-carbon and efficient electric mobility systems.
President Ruto said the government would adopt innovative, clean and sustainable energy technologies.
He said this will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but will also provide cheaper transport and spur the growth of the electric vehicle industry.
“The adoption of electric mobility is a priority intervention to address the challenges of pollution,” he said.
He spoke during the launch of the national electric mobility programme at Mama Ngina waterfront, Mombasa.