Kenya’s Tuk Tuk operators are set to join the country’s climate action efforts by adopting electric Tuk Tuks, aiming to reduce emissions and support clean energy.
The initiative, led by the Tuk Tuk Operators Network in partnership with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), seeks to accelerate the shift to affordable and sustainable transport solutions.
Speaking at a pre-launch event in Nairobi, the network’s national chairperson, Vincent Were, said the move aligns with President William Ruto’s call for domestic solutions to climate change.
“We are welcoming innovations that will empower our operators through affordable, reliable, and modern mobility solutions,” Were said.
“The aim is to cut down harmful emissions, helping our towns and cities breathe cleaner air.”
NTSA’s Road Safety Manager, Samuel Musumba, said the adoption of electric Tuk Tuks will lower operating costs while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
“We are embracing green energy on our roads while eliminating noise pollution and ensuring communities have access to safe and inclusive transport solutions,” he said.
Musumba added that Tuk Tuk operators will benefit from the cost-effectiveness of the new models. He noted that Kenya is seeking solutions through a bottom-up approach to address the country’s various needs.
“Innovation is supposed to serve the people, and today we can say we are on record for finding solutions. These Tuk Tuks are game changers when it comes to transforming lives,” he said.
Kenya has an estimated 205,000 Tuk Tuks in operation, with numbers growing rapidly in urban centers. The NTSA noted that innovations in electric models now extend to ambulance variants, marking a first in the country.
