- The Kenya Power and Lighting Company has plans to set up 45 electric vehicle (EV) charging points in Kenya in the next year
- The charging points will be set up in Nairobi, Nyeri, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, Mombasa and Taita Taveta counties
- The electric vehicle charging points will add to the three charging points that Kenya Power has in the country
Bonface Kanyamwaya, a journalist at Diwida |.co.ke, has more than 10 years of financial, economy, business, markets and aviation expertise, providing insights into Kenya and global trends.
The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) plans to set up 45 electric vehicle (EV) charging points in the next year as part of a plan to push for the adoption of e-mobility in the country.
The 45 EV charging points to be set up by Kenya Power will be installed in counties such as Nairobi, Nyeri, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, Mombasa and Taita Teveta.
The charging points will add to the three existing EV charging points that the electricity distributor has in the country.
"Kenya Power is dedicated to facilitating the nation’s shift towards electric mobility, aiming to decrease carbon emissions. As part of this strategy, we intend to foster an supportive atmosphere for entities operating within the e-mobility sector by ensuring sufficient power supplies and necessary infrastructures like charging stations, making it easier for drivers to commute," stated Joseph Siror, the managing director and CEO of Kenya Power, in a communiqué viewed by Diwida |.co.ke on Monday, May 5.
The electric utility company has installed EV charging stations at Stima Plaza as well as their main headquarters.
Investing in infrastructure is crucial as it forms a vital part of efforts to promote e-mobility adoption in Kenya. This initiative aims to facilitate the transition by providing necessary facilities for new users.
Siror mentioned that among the 45 new electric vehicle charging stations being installed, six will be situated at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
However, Kenya Power stayed silent about the locations of the remaining charging stations and the budget allocated for this initiative. Despite this, they emphasized the importance of cooperation among industry leaders to promote the uptake of the new technology.
"We appreciate the immense support that we have received from the Government of Kenya towards driving the uptake of e-mobility. Our focus is to work closely with the government of Kenya to advocate for policies that will continue to incentivize EV adoption such as tax exemptions and subsidies for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure," said Kenya Power's chairman of the board of directors, Joy Brenda Masinde separately.
Total number of electric vehicles registered in Kenya
Currently, there are approximately 9,047 EVs registered in the country compared to 2,694 and 5,294 that were registered in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
The growth of E-mobility has been spurred by various initiatives that have been undertaken to create an enabling environment, including the introduction of the e-mobility tariff in the current electricity tariff control period.
Kenya Power hosts 3rd edition of e-mobility conference
Meanwhile, Kenya Power is hosting the third edition of its e-mobility stakeholders conference and expo.
The three-day event started on Sunday, May 4 and will end on Tuesday, May 6.
The seminar conducted by the power provider is a component of an extensive strategy aimed at promoting the uptake of electric mobility in Kenya.