The government of Kenya has come up with a new set of laws that will see the adoption of electric scooters increase in demand. The Kenyan government is currently targeting 100 per cent e-mobility adoption by 2050 as it transitions into a green energy mode of transport.
This comes at a time when 72 percent of road transport in Kenya is driven by petroleum-based products, contributing to 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, which have had devastating effects on the environment.
National e-mobility policy launch
According to the National E-Mobility Policy, which was launched at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre by the Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary, emissions are projected to increase by 17 per cent by 2030 if no action is taken. In response, the policy aims to reduce emissions by 32 per cent by 2030.
This has pushed the Transport Ministry to introduce sweeping reforms that will see the country embrace greener transport solutions, including electric scooters.
Tax cuts on electric scooters
At the heart of these reforms is the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on e-scooters and other electric motorcycles. The government has also reduced excise duty from 20 per cent to 10 per cent and eliminated import duty on electric batteries and motorcycles brought into the country.
These measures are expected to trigger a surge in e-scooter usage in Kenya, especially in urban areas.
The policy framework also mandates that all new buildings must allocate at least 5 percent of their parking space to electric vehicles, including charging ports.
This move is expected to build confidence among city dwellers and encourage the adoption of e-scooters, since the lack of charging infrastructure has been a major challenge for users.
Once this is addressed, the purchase of these eco-friendly vehicles is expected to rise significantly.
Setting up charging Infrastructure
On charging infrastructure, Principal Secretary for Industry Juma Mukhwana, who was present during the launch, acknowledged the rapid growth of e-mobility in the country.
He noted that by December 2025, Kenya had recorded 39,374 electric vehicles, up from 1,378 in 2022, with the majority being two-wheeled electric motorcycles.
He further stated that demand for electric vehicles currently exceeds supply and emphasised that charging infrastructure should not be concentrated in Nairobi alone but expanded to other parts of the country, including rural areas.
Mukhwana also called for short-term financing to enable manufacturers to set up local assembly plants as Kenya prepares for long-term production of electric vehicles.
If properly implemented, this could accelerate the adoption of e-scooters by making them more accessible and affordable.
KEBS enforces quality standards
Meanwhile, the Kenya Bureau of Standards has introduced mandatory inspection of electric mobility vehicles to ensure quality.
All electric vehicles, bicycles, and motorcycles must obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) before being allowed into the Kenyan market.
This will ensure that only high-quality scooters and batteries are sold in the country while filtering out substandard products.
“Please note that only electric motorcycle and electric motor vehicle batteries accompanied by Certificates of Conformity (CoCs) issued by KEBS-appointed PVOC agents shall be allowed into the country.” Read a statement from KEBS in January 2024.
NTSA scooter regulation framework
With the expected rise in e-scooter adoption, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has also proposed new traffic regulations. These will classify e-scooters into low-power and high-power categories, with low-power scooters treated like bicycles and high-power ones regulated as motorcycles.
Green number plate rollout
There has also been the introduction of green number plates for eco-friendly vehicles such as e-scooters to distinguish them from fossil-fuel-powered vehicles.
This rollout took place on February 3, 2026, led by Kipchumba Murkomen and Davis Chirchir.
All these developments show that the future of e-scooters in Kenya is promising. In many cases, such large-scale projects are slowed down by poor government policies, but in this case, the policies are clearly supporting the adoption of these eco-friendly vessels.
This puts the country in a strong position as it moves toward a cleaner and more sustainable transport system.
