Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, on Friday, August 4, appointed 15 people to the e-mobility task force mandated to come up with regulations on the manufacture, sale and usage of electric vehicles.
Daniel Ngumi will lead the task force in his capacity as chairperson, with human rights activist Jerotich Seii as the vice chair.
Other members of the 15-member committee include David Mutisya, Anne Nyaga, Augustine Kenduiwo, Chris Mugo, Zacharia Lukorito, Judy Chepkirui, Javan Odenyo, Edwins Mukabanah, Hesborn Mose, and Githaiga Weru. Ibrahim Kinyanjui, Meshack Ochieng and Izael DaSilva of Strathmore University Energy Research Centre (SERC) wrapped up the list.
Murkomen tasked the team with developing a National e-Mobility Policy and an e-Mobility Strategy and Implementation Plan.
The Ngumi lead team will also be expected to give a report on e-Mobility Legislations and Regulations, e-Mobility Guidelines, and Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) within 20 days when their term in office expires.
"In the performance of its tasks, the task force shall regulate its procedure and may co-opt any persons as it may consider necessary or expedient for the proper performance of its functions," Murkomen stated.
He also expects the appointees to review the impact of adopting e-Mobility on the sustainability of the Road Maintenance Fuel Levy Fund, which is collected from pump prices.
The 15-member task force will also engage experts as may be necessary for the execution of its mandate.
Murkomen added that a secretariat from the Ministry would also be constituted to enable the team to complete its task on time.
With the formulation of the e-mobility framework, President William Ruto's ambitious plan to increase the uptake of e-motorbike and electric vehicles in the country within the next two years may soon become a reality.
“We want to have over 200,000 electric boda bodas by the end of next year. We have agreed with some companies, and that is why we have reduced five different taxes,” Ruto stated when launching electric bikes in July 2023.
According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), Kenya has at least 2,000 registered electric vehicles.
