- Spiro, the company behind the manufacture and supply of electric motorcycles in Kenya, intends to introduce more than 1 million such units
- Issues Ndegwa wants fixed include, the calibration of the engine's speed and the establishment of power-swapping charging sites in major towns
Bodaboda operators in Nyeri county want all underlying challenges experienced in electricity sub-sector addressed before they shift to electric motorcycles.
Nyeri bodaboda association chairman Charles Ndegwa said while they are not opposed to the shift to eco-friendly motorcycles, they want challenges faced by their Mombasa counterparts fixed first.
He said the government should have a well organised programme before the nationwide rollout of the electric motorcycles.
Among issues Ndegwa wants fixed include, the calibration of the engine's speed and the establishment of power-swapping charging sites in major towns.
He said the electric motorcycles can only cover a maximum of 50 kilometres, before recharging.
“Electric motorcycles are very good. The only problem is that most of them are very slow and their batteries cannot run for more than 50 kilometers without recharging," Ndegwa said.
"Secondly, most counties lack the necessary swapping bays, where we can take the motorcycles for recharging. Once such measures are put in place, we will try them out, we are not opposed to them."
Spiro, the company behind the manufacture and supply of electric motorcycles in Kenya, intends to introduce more than 1 million such units.
This is part of the government's initiative to shift from fossil fuels.
The company further plans to create battery charging and swapping stations across in the coming days.
Since its inception one year ago, Spiro has rapidly penetrated the African e-mobility market such as Benin, Togo, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Ndegwa said more than 200 riders in his association have been sensitised on road safety.
He said the association will not allow members without valid licenses and updated insurance certificates to ferry passengers.
“We have instructed our members to be disciplined and avoid speed thrills during the Christmas and New Year festivities," Ndegwa said.
"It is important for each one of us to know we are needed again next year to discharge our duties."
On Monday Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the country had lost 3,999 people to road accidents between January and December 7 this year.
Murkomen said the number has reduced from the 4,352 recorded within the same period in 2022.
National Transport and Safety Authority has over the last four years raised concerns over the steady increase in accidents caused by boda boda operators.
NTSA ranked motorcycle transport as the most dangerous mode of transport in 2022 with 1,209 fatalities.
Private vehicles came in second with 1,104 fatalities compared to 1,172 in 2021.
Commercial vehicles recorded 1,079 fatalities compared to 1,019 in 2021 while Public Service Vehicles had 626 fatalities compared to 534 in 2021.
Overall, at least 4,690 people lost their lives on Kenyan roads in 2022, the authority’s 2023 economic survey shows.
On average Kenya records an average of 3,000 deaths emanating from road accidents annually making the country among nations with the highest road carnage.