Kenya has received USD 378 Million, which can easily translate into 50 billion Kenyan Shillings to fund the country’s Bus Rapid Transport system which will deploy electric powered City Buses.
According to Techcabal, the funds from the European Union are meant to facilitate the electrification of the country’s public transport system.
Techcabal is a Leading Africa’s Tech Conversation.
The financing will enable Kenya to build the necessary infrastructure to make its bus rapid transit system more efficient and cost-effective.
This development is the result of a recently concluded meeting between the Kenyan Head of State, President William Samoei Ruto and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von de Leyen.
The two held talks at the European Union Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
As part of the agreement, Kenya’s upcoming Green Mobility-Nairobi core bus rapid transit line 3 (BRT 3) will feature zero-emission electric buses and will introduce intelligent transport system features.
Adoption of electric BRT buses is currently growing globally.
In February 2022, Kenya announced it would only operate electric vehicles on the BRT system, but that has not been the case as the funds to move this from its blueprint to actual project have not been particularly available.
However, it is being anticipated that this new financing brings renewed hope to Kenya’s plans, especially for its capital city, Nairobi.
This progress comes at a time when Kenya is yet to recover from its struggles with fuel shortage which is causing a surge in fuel prices and negatively affecting the living standards of many residents in the East African Country.
In addition, the country faces a severe air pollution crisis that is claiming lives and adversely affecting the health of thousands of Kenyans.
According to reports, there were more than 5000 premature deaths in 2019 and all were linked to air pollution in the country.
These harsh conditions have contributed to an enabling environment for electric mobility options to flourish in Kenya as the government joins private companies like ‘Little’ and ‘Bolt’ in the EV charge.
As Kenya switches to electric buses for the country’s urban transport services, Tanzania, its neighbour south of the border still equips the Dar-es-salaam Rapid Transport (UDART) with Cummins Diesel Engine powered, Golden Dragon buses imported from China.
Tanzania however is building an electricity powered Standard Gauge Railway Lines.
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