Kenya has boldly moved towards cleaner public transport with the introduction of its first pilot scheme for electric matatus in inter-city routes.. The move marks a major milestone in the country’s push to cut carbon emissions in the transport sector.
Nairobi-based electric mobility startup BasiGo is leading the initiative in collaboration with two public transport SACCOs – 4NTE and Manchester Travellers Coach. The pilot is the first time electric matatus are being used outside Nairobi, a breakthrough for Kenya and the wider Sub-Saharan region.
BasiGo seeks to transform public transport through the replacement of diesel-powered matatus with eco-friendly, cheap electric vehicles. Under the pilot, 16- and 19-seater electric vans will be operating on Nyahururu–Nyeri, Nyahururu–Nakuru, and Thika–Nairobi routes.
The van only requires 1.5 hours to recharge completely and has a maximum range of 300 kilometers on a single charge. To make this possible, BasiGo has put up DC fast-charging facilities in Nyahururu and Thika, ensuring that the vans are operational all day.
The electric vans will be made available through BasiGo’s Pay-As-You-Drive leasing plan, which is designed to lower the economic cost of entry for matatu drivers transitioning from diesel to electric. This flexible approach helps SACCOs and drivers access cutting-edge clean transport without the heavy upfront cost.
BasiGo’s Kenya Managing Director, Moses Nderitu, hailed the pilot launch as a pivotal moment in modernizing Kenya’s matatu culture.
“By partnering with visionary SACCOs like 4NTE and Manchester, we’re showing that electric mobility is not only possible but practical for intercity and inter-county transit,” Nderitu said.
Under the pilot programme, 4NTE SACCO will operate electric matatus on the Nyahururu–Nyeri and Nyahururu–Nakuru routes, while Manchester SACCO will manage the Thika–Nairobi corridor.
The rollout is part of a larger plan to demonstrate that sustainable transport doesn’t just belong in cities like Nairobi – it can also work on longer rural and peri-urban routes.
BasiGo has also announced plans to assemble the electric vans locally in Kenya, a move that is expected to generate new job opportunities and boost skills development in the country’s growing clean energy and mobility sector. The company will handle full after-sales support, including regular maintenance and servicing, to ensure smooth operations for SACCO partners.
Wilfred Daniel Kimotho, Chairman of 4NTE SACCO, expressed pride in being among the first matatu operators to embrace this shift in public transport.
“We are excited to be early adopters of this technology, especially along intercity and inter-county routes,” Kimotho said.
“This is about embracing innovation and delivering better service to our customers. This partnership places us at the forefront of a transport revolution that is electric, efficient, and built for the future.”
Looking ahead, BasiGo plans to roll out more than 1,000 electric vans across Kenya over the next few years. The company sees this as a long-term commitment to helping the country meet its climate action goal while transforming mobility for millions of Kenyans who travel between counties.
