The Kenyan Government will soon start the implementation and use of electric vehicles as one of the climate action measures in the Transport and Energy sectors.

This is a key component in the realisation of more sustainable, efficient and equitable transportation through E-mobility.

On Monday, residents of the North Rift region including transport and energy stakeholders convened in Eldoret town for a stakeholder engagement organised by the Electric Mobility Task Force to give views on a draft National E-mobility policy.

According to Justo Wanyama from the State Department of Transport, the policy will address key issues among them; developing a legal and regulatory framework to promote the adoption of E-mobility, promoting local manufacturing and assembly of Electric Vehicles, enhancing local technical capacity and skills across the E-mobility value chains as well as reduce over-reliance on road maintenance levy (RML)collected on petrol and diesel fuel.

The County Executive for Public Service Management, Devolution and Administration Elijah Kosgei, while representing the County Government, said the new technology will play a major role in environmental conservation because there will be no gas emissions polluting the air.

He stated: “This modern technology will tremendously reduce constant air pollution and destruction of the ozone layer. Electric vehicles are environment friendly and convenient to use.”

The County Commissioner Dr Eddyson Nyale noted that the technology will create many avenues for jobs, challenging the task force to ensure enough establishment of charging facilities and more engagements for the public to be more conversant with the development.

Director Fire and Rescue section Lazarus Sile,senior engineers and mechanics from the County Department of Roads and Susan Kamau from the State Department of Transport formed part of those present during the engagement.