Kenya Moves to County-Level Implementation of National Electric Mobility Policy

Kenya’s transition towards sustainable and cleaner transport is gaining momentum, with County Governments taking a central role in the implementation of the National Electric Mobility Policy.

The State Department for Transport has convened representatives from all 47 counties, development partners and industry players for a workshop aimed at reviewing progress in the implementation of the Policy, strengthening institutional capacity and developing practical strategies to accelerate electric mobility across the country.

The workshop was officially opened by Nairobi Governor and Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG) Transport, Infrastructure and Energy Committee, H.E. Johnson Sakaja, who underscored the critical role of County Governments in translating national policy commitments into tangible outcomes.

Governor Sakaja observed that while the National Government provides the policy and regulatory framework, counties are central to ensuring that electric mobility initiatives are implemented effectively at the local level.

He proposed the development of a model County Electric Mobility Bill by the State Department for Transport and the Council of Governors to promote harmonised legislation across the 47 counties. He further called for a joint implementation programme and the identification of five to ten model counties to spearhead the rollout.

He emphasised that the success of the transition would require adequate resources, coordinated planning and deliberate investment in local capacity. He also challenged Kenya to move beyond being a market for imported electric vehicles and position itself as a regional hub for vehicle assembly, battery technology and electric mobility skills development.

Speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary, Mr. Mohamed Daghar, the Secretary of Administration, State Department for Transport, Mr. Mohammed Abdi, reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to working closely with County Governments in implementing the Policy.

He noted that the National Electric Mobility Policy was adopted by Cabinet in July 2025, officially launched on 3rd February 2026 and subsequently designated Sessional Paper No. 3 of 2026.

Mr. Abdi described counties as key implementation partners, emphasising that the transition to electric mobility requires a coordinated approach involving both levels of government. He highlighted the current concentration of approximately 90 per cent of Kenya’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Nairobi, calling on counties to accelerate the development of charging infrastructure within their jurisdictions.

He further outlined the Policy’s three-tier implementation framework, comprising a Steering Committee, an Implementation Team and five Technical Working Groups established to coordinate implementation across the various thematic areas.

The State Department is also working with development partners to advance key interventions under the Policy. GIZ is supporting the development of a one-stop electric mobility data platform, while the University of California, Davis, in collaboration with the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), is supporting the development of vehicle efficiency standards for light-duty vehicles.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) is supporting a study on the implications of vehicle electrification on the Road Maintenance Levy Fund, alongside the development of a decarbonisation strategy for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is providing support towards the development of the draft National Electric Mobility Bill and National E-Mobility Strategy, while the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is supporting the development of fuel economy standards for two- and three-wheelers.

Providing an overview of the Policy, Rachel Njira Wanyamawi of the State Department for Transport reported that Kenya had registered more than 50,000 electric vehicles as of June 2026, with electric motorcycles accounting for the majority. She also noted that more than 35 companies were operating in the electric mobility sector, demonstrating the growing investment and commercial interest in the industry.

She emphasised that Kenya had established a foundation for electric mobility but that achieving the country’s transition ambitions would require sustained collaboration between the National Government, County Governments, development partners and private sector players.

The workshop also provided an opportunity to examine the legal and regulatory framework supporting electric mobility. Prof. Robert Kibugi led discussions on the legal gap assessment and the proposed National Electric Mobility Bill. Participants further reviewed action matrices covering the Policy’s thematic areas and a Monitoring, Verification and Reporting Dashboard designed to track implementation progress.

The programme also featured a presentation by Nairobi City County on its Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Framework, developed with support from GIZ, alongside an industry perspective from the Electric Mobility Association of Kenya (EMAK).

The engagement concluded with a joint commitment by the State Department for Transport and the Council of Governors to strengthen coordination and translate the agreed actions into practical implementation measures.