Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has proposed the enactment of legislation to phase out petrol-powered motorcycles in cities and eventually across the country, in favour of electric alternatives.Nyong’o said the move would help address air and noise pollution, particularly in urban areas where motorcycles are widely used.Speaking during a meeting attended by President William Ruto in Kisumu on Sunday, September 13, the governor said petrol-powered motorcycles were a major contributor to pollution and should gradually be replaced with electric motorbikes.He proposed that Parliament enact legislation restricting the operation of petrol-powered motorcycles and allowing only electric alternatives, citing environmental and public health concerns associated with fuel-powered motorcycles."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 further a health crisis," Nyong'o stated.He further called for incentives to help motorcycle operators make the transition from petrol-powered bikes to electric models."For example, we can give incentives for motorbike operators seeking to transition from petrol to electric motorbikes," he added.Electric motorcycles in Kenya have grown rapidly, driven by rising fuel prices and the need to reduce operating costs in the boda boda sector.Such bikes have increasingly been promoted in Kenya as an alternative to conventional petrol-powered bikes, with proponents citing lower operating costs and reduced emissions.As of early 2026, data from NTSA indicates that there are more than 33,000 electric motorcycles registered in the country.The boda boda sector has employed hundreds of thousands of Kenyans across major cities and rural areas.While the rollout of electric motorcycles will prevent air pollution, the rollout could be phased with challenges due to the lack of adequate charging and swapping stations currently available.The proposal, if adopted, could have significant implications for the boda boda sector, which relies heavily on petrol-powered motorcycles for passenger transport and deliveries.
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