A new draft law is set to be introduced in the National Assembly after the current recess that proposes changes to how Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and government vehicles operate in Kenya.
The proposal by Homa Bay town MP Peter Kaluma seeks to introduce a law that makes solar-powered electric mobility mandatory for all government vehicles and PSVs.
The proposed changes are part of wider efforts aimed at reducing fuel dependence by most vehicles, lowering transport costs, and promoting clean energy.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 19, MP Kaluma noted that Kenya must begin adapting to cleaner and more sustainable transport systems similar to those already being adopted in countries such as Ethiopia.
“When we go back to Parliament after the current recess, I will propose a law to mandate only solar-powered electric motor vehicles/e-mobility for all government and public service vehicles,” Kaluma said.
He added, “Ethiopia is already here. We must adapt and move away from petroleum, except where this is unavoidable.”
The proposed law particularly targets Nairobi’s transport sector, with calls for the expansion of commuter train services and improvement of public transport systems to reduce overreliance on privately owned matatus.
The legislator argued that Nairobi’s transport challenges have persisted because private operators have been allowed to dominate the sector for years, often resulting in disruption whenever disputes emerge within the transport industry.
“We also need a well-functioning commuter train and public transport system for Nairobi to end the constant blackmail by private individuals operating as Matatu Owners, we have been allowed to monopolise public transport in Kenya,” Kaluma reiterated.
If implemented, the proposal could trigger major changes across Kenya’s transport sector, especially for PSV operators, government agencies, and investors in electric mobility infrastructure.
The proposal comes at a time when the country is increasingly investing in electric vehicles and motorcycles, with several companies already introducing electric buses, motorcycles, and charging infrastructure across major towns.
It follows just two months after the Ministry of Transport officially launched the national electric mobility policy, marking a major milestone in Kenya’s transition towards a cleaner and low-carbon transport system.
In the event held at KICC on March 2, 2026, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the adoption of electric vehicles would significantly reduce Kenya’s annual petroleum import bill which is currently estimated at Ksh648.5 billion.
During the ceremony attended by transport stakeholders from the region, Chirchir went ahead to launch green reflective number plates for all electric vehicles registered in Kenya.