Kenya’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum has announced an ambitious plan to install 10,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country, backed by an investment of $47.26 million (Sh6.12 billion).
The project aims to address one of the significant barriers to EV adoption in Kenya: the scarcity of charging infrastructure outside the capital, Nairobi.
While the number of registered EVs in Kenya has surged from 2,694 in 2023 to more than 9,000 in 2025, most charging stations remain concentrated in Nairobi. This has left drivers in Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, and other regions struggling with limited access, creating what industry observers describe as “range anxiety.” The Ministry’s plan, unveiled in late September, is designed to decentralize the charging network and ensure EV users can travel confidently across the country.
The project will be implemented in phases, targeting major highways, regional hubs, and county headquarters. Early deployments will focus on transport corridors linking cities such as Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret, and Kisumu, before expanding into smaller towns and rural areas. Six chargers are already earmarked for installation at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, underscoring the government’s strategy to place chargers in high-traffic areas that serve both domestic commuters and international travellers.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the rollout is central to Kenya’s climate and energy goals. “The government is committed to accelerating e-mobility adoption by ensuring infrastructure is not just a Nairobi story but a nationwide reality,” he said during the launch. The ministry views the program as a step toward reducing dependence on fossil fuels while creating new economic opportunities in clean energy and transport.
Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), which has already invested KSh 258 million in EV charging pilots and fleet electrification, will play a central role in implementing the plan. Partnerships with private firms such as BasiGo, Moja EV, Roam, and TotalEnergies are also expected to expand coverage, with Moja EV separately planning a network of 100 stations equipped with fast chargers.
The initiative builds on policy measures already introduced to stimulate demand. Excise duty on EVs was cut from 20 percent to 10 percent, VAT exemptions have reduced costs, and new electricity tariffs have been set to encourage off-peak charging at Sh8 per kilowatt-hour compared to Sh16 during peak hours. In addition, the National Building Code 2024 requires new commercial and residential developments to allocate at least 5 percent of parking spaces to EV charging, embedding e-mobility into Kenya’s future urban design.
Analysts say the rollout could transform Kenya into a regional leader in electric mobility, but challenges remain. Expanding infrastructure to rural counties, ensuring grid stability, and standardizing payment systems will be critical to sustaining momentum. Still, the government’s $47 million investment signals a decisive step toward making EV adoption viable for drivers across the country, moving Kenya closer to its climate commitments and vision of a cleaner transport future.
