A Kenyan solar energy company has launched an ambitious electric vehicle (EV) charging initiative in Kimilili, Bungoma County, positioning the rural town at the forefront of the country’s transition to clean mobility.
Sentimental Energy Company Ltd unveiled its new EV charging product line on Saturday, including seven electric motorcycles and a network of solar-powered charging stations in Kimilili, Webuye, Lugulu Girls, and Kamukuywa. The firm said the rollout marked the first such initiative in western Kenya, where boda bodas are the backbone of local transport and a major source of income.
The company’s managing director, Eng Paul Simiyu Mabonga, said the move demonstrated that the shift to sustainable transport was not confined to Kenya’s cities. “By launching EV charging stations in rural towns like Kimilili, we are proving that the clean energy transition is for every community in Kenya,” he said.
Electric motorcycles, or e-bodas, are significantly cheaper to run than their petrol counterparts, cutting operational costs by as much as 80%, according to the company. Riders stand to benefit from lower fuel bills, while communities could see reduced emissions, noise and pollution.
Schools will also play a role in the programme. Under Sentimental Energy’s “Solar for Schools” scheme, learning institutions with surplus solar power will host EV charging hubs during the holidays, providing an additional revenue stream.
The Kimilili pilot is part of a wider plan to expand across western Kenya, focusing on areas with dense boda boda networks. It aligns with government e-mobility targets, which aim for electric motorcycles to make up 5% of new registrations by the end of 2025.
Industry analysts say the initiative could help bridge Kenya’s urban-rural divide in clean transport adoption, while providing a model for other African countries.
