Fuel hike pushes boda boda operators to electric motorbikes

Mlolongo Syokimau Bodaboda Association Chairman Alex Mutuku (C) is shown by some riders a motorbiked that was packed due to lack of fuel in Mlolongo, Machakos County on May 16, 2026.

Bodaboda operators are switching to electric motorbikes following fuel hikes, Mlolongo–Syokimau Bodaboda Association Chairman Alex Mutuku has said.

Mutuku said most members are seeking money to replace fuel-powered motorbikes with electric ones. He said this was prompted by the government's decision to increase prices for both petrol and diesel on Thursday.

"Most of our members have resorted to abandoning motorbikes that use petrol and are looking for money to acquire electric ones," Mutuku said.

He spoke to the press in Mlolongo, Machakos County on Saturday.

Petrol is retailing in Nairobi at Sh214.25 per litre while diesel costs Kenyans Sh242.92 per litre. The prices have shot by Sh.16.65 and Sh46 per litre respectively after the Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) revised the prices.

Mutuku, however, noted that despite electric motorbikes not using fuel, they also face challenges. He said some of the bikes have batteries that cover short distances, while charging stations are scarse across Machakos County.

"We don't have enough stations for recharging the batteries. Electric motorbikes are more expensive. Majority of the operators can't afford to pay cash. So, they look for loans to acquire the motorbikes," Mutuku said.

He said the sector has been seriously affected by the fuel hike. Electric motorbikes cost around Sh240,000 while normal ones sell at around Sh180,000 on the higher side.

Mutuku urged bodaboda operators to join saccos to access loan facilities from financial institutions in the country.

He also said the 10 percent fare increase earlier announced by Bodaboda Association of Kenya Chairman Kevin Mubadi after fuel hikes in April was insufficient and needed to be reviewed to enable operators to make profit.

"10 percent of Sh100 is Sh10 but fuel has increased by Sh40. So, it has affected our members alot. We urge that fuel prices be lowered back to where they were. We are suffering," Mutuku said.

Mutuku also appealed to Kenyans to bear with the situation and cooperate with bodaboda operators on fare adjustments.

Several riders said petrol costs now take up nearly half their daily earnings. They said with fuel prices volatile, electric bikes help them lock in lower running costs.

The government and private schemes have been making e-bikes more affordable. President William Ruto's administration earlier rolled out a scheme for affordable electric boda bodas to cushion riders from fuel prices.

Felix Oginga, a bodaboda operator in Mlolongo, said he was nolonger able to raise his family following the latest fuel hikes.

"We have been hit hard by the fuel hike as bodaboda operators. We solemnly rely on the trade to earn a living and raise our families. This is our office," Oginga said.

Oginga said they were shocked to see diesel prices come higher than petrol for the first time in Kenya's history.

He urged the president to consider those at the bottom of his administration's Bottom Up Transformative Economic Agenda pyramid and reduce the fuel prices.

John Nyakina said they had lost many customers after the fuel prices went up. He said some passengers now walk long distances for fear of increased charges for motorbike transport.

"Life has become unbearable. Prices for basic commodities like sugar, milk, unga have become higher too. We plead with the government to look into the plight of a common citizen," Nyakina said.

Peter Kitheka said he had never gotten even a single client since the fuel hike was effected by the state.

Kitheka said his motorbike had no fuel.

"I haven't had any passenger. Hiking petrol price from Sh198 to Sh216 a litre is unbearable," Kitheka said.