Boda boda riders are set to acquire Kes 20,0000 electronic motorcycles between Kes 10,000 and Kes 15,000 in a partnership between Bolt and M-Kopa.

To incentivize boda boda riders to increase their uptake of electric-powered motorcycles, the ride-hailing platform Bolt is set to pay Kes 50,000, an equivalent of 20 percent of their acquisition cost.

 M-Kopa will cover the remainder of the cost.

M-Kopa Mobility Managing Director David Damberger said the partnership targets 1,000 boda boda riders across the country by the end of the year, even as they seek to scale up to 5,000 riders in the next three years.

“This will be over ten million dollars investment to make sure that we are financing these bikes and which is purchasing these bikes from roam and ampersand financing them for customers some in 12 months some 18 months.”

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Bolt Country Manager Linda Ndung’u said the boda boda rider will save up to 40 percent every day.

 “When we look at the 60 that is inclusive of the repayment cost inclusive of the charging, maintenance all those things so every day 40 per cent cheaper.”

Although the boda boda riders get the equipment at a subsidized rate, they will need to pay an average of 480 shillings and 600 shillings per day, depending on the brand they opt for, to offset their acquisition within two years.

Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) is also set to invest 258 million in the next three years to support such investment in the country.

According to Kenya Power, the investment will include the cost of setting up charging stations across the country and purchasing electric vehicles and motorbikes to aid company operations.

KPLC has also launched an electric vehicle (EV) charging station located at Stima Plaza, which has been set up at a cost of Ksh.6.5 million and will comprise two chargers: a 50 KW DC (1-hour charging time) and a 22 KW AC (2-hour charging time) charger.