Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has called for legislation to gradually phase out petrol-powered motorcycles in cities and eventually across Kenya, with electric motorbikes taking their place.
Nyong’o argued that the shift would help tackle air and noise pollution, particularly in urban centres where boda bodas are a common mode of transport.
The governor made the proposal during a meeting attended by President William Ruto in Kisumu on Sunday, September 13, where he urged the government to take measures aimed at reducing the environmental and health impact of fuel-powered motorcycles.
According to Nyong’o, petrol motorcycles are among the contributors to pollution in cities and should be progressively replaced with electric alternatives.
He proposed that Parliament pass legislation restricting the use of petrol-powered motorcycles while allowing electric motorbikes to operate, citing concerns over pollution and its impact on public health.
"I would plead that we pass a law allowing only electric motorbikes to operate. Because these petrol motorbikes, unless there are proper batteries, there is a lot of pollution in our cities, which is a further health crisis," Nyong'o stated.
Beyond legislation, Nyong’o called for financial and other incentives to help boda boda operators switch from petrol motorcycles to electric models.
"For example, we can give incentives for motorbike operators seeking to transition from petrol to electric motorbikes," he added.
Kenya's electric motorcycle sector has expanded significantly in recent years, with the technology increasingly promoted as an alternative to conventional petrol-powered boda bodas.
The growth has been linked to efforts to lower operating costs in the transport sector amid high fuel prices, while electric motorcycles are also marketed as a cleaner option because they produce fewer direct emissions during operation.
Data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) showed that more than 33,000 electric motorcycles had been registered in Kenya by early 2026.
The boda boda industry remains a major source of employment and income for hundreds of thousands of Kenyans, supporting livelihoods in both urban and rural areas.
However, a nationwide transition to electric motorcycles could face several infrastructure challenges, particularly due to the limited availability of charging and battery-swapping stations.
Experts have previously identified inadequate charging infrastructure, among other factors, as one of the barriers slowing the wider adoption of electric vehicles in Kenya.
If implemented, Nyong’o’s proposal would have far-reaching consequences for the boda boda industry, which currently depends heavily on petrol-powered motorcycles for passenger transport, deliveries and other commercial activities.
