Environment and Forestry Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo has said Kenya is choosing the low emission climate resilient development pathway in her pursuit of development.
While launching the first-ever electric bus operation in the country facilitated by ROAM Company, PS Kiptoo, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Deputy Director Climate Change Mr. Michael Okumu, said the need to cut down greenhouse gas emissions globally is more urgent today than ever due to the increase in the intensity and frequency of climate change impacts in the country.
The transport sector, which currently accounts for about 12% of Kenya’s greenhouse gas emissions, has faced challenges in the past years occasioned by inconsistent supply of fuel in the country and hiking of prices of the commodity.
The electric bus dubbed “Roam Rapid Bus”, is eco-friendly as it has zero emissions and fully depends on the usage of Lithium batteries that can be charged by use of solar panels or plug-in chargers deriving power from the grid.
The bus can carry up to 77 passengers, both seating and standing, focusing on the inclusivity of the elderly and disabled persons.
Their charging ports can accommodate fast chargers (fully charged in 1.5 hrs) and slow chargers (fully charged in 8 hrs). It can travel 360km on a single charge when fully laden.
Kenya being a leader in addressing climate change by putting in place the necessary legal policy and institutional frameworks for climate action which include encouraging private sectors in investing in e-mobility in efforts to minimise global emissions as Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC committed to a 32% GHG emission reduction by 2030 relative to the business as usual (BAU) scenario of 143 MtCO2 equivalent in the year 2030.
Roam Company, which is the pioneering mass e-mobility, seeking to increase operations is holding talks with different stakeholders ranging from government, private to transport sector.
These operations include increasing units from 1 to 100 in a period of one year, availing charging points/stations and infrastructure to accommodate e-mobility in the country.
On his part, Sweden’s Deputy Ambassador to Kenya, Helge Flard, congratulated the Kenyan government for collaborating with the different stakeholders in the different sectors in encouraging solutions that shift from reliance on fossil fuels in its development agenda.
He said that transport and construction work lead to environmental pollution and as such, seek innovative means in achieving their development goals while minding the environment.
Kenya Power and Lighting Company Managing Director, Eng. Geoffrey Muli represented by Eng. Ruth Odwor, has said that KPLC as a stakeholder is willing to support Roam Company in achieving its goal of transitioning from fossil fuels to the use of renewable energy in the country and Africa at large.
He said that the country’s energy generation is 92 percent clean with a capacity of 3077 Mega Watts. “At night, consumption of the generated power is only at 1100 Mw leaving close to 2000 Mw unutilized. E-mobility if fully rolled out will help in utilizing the excessive power”.
The MD. also said that the KPLC is in support of transition to clean energy as they are in process of procuring 50 long-range motorbikes, 3 e-vehicles and 3 charging points in a move to face out dependency of fossil fuel.
The launch was attended by Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI Nairobi) Chairperson Julius Opio, UNEP-Sustainability Mobility Unit, Ms. Jane Akumu, Delegation from Matatu and Boda Boda g in Kenya among others.
