If you’ve been paying attention to Kenya’s two-wheeler revolution over the past few years, you’ll know that electric boda bodas have been gaining serious traction. Given that operating costs that are roughly 70% lower than their petrol counterparts, it’s no surprise that more riders are making the switch. Add to that the rapidly expanding battery-swapping infrastructure in cities like Nairobi, and the so-called ‘range anxiety’ is quickly becoming a thing of the past.

But what happens when you venture beyond Nairobi and its surrounding areas, where battery-swapping stations aren’t as common? This is where the latest feat by Joel Amboka, a boda boda rider from Ruaraka, Nairobi, caught my attention.

Amboka recently undertook a bold challenge: riding a Roam Air electric motorcycle over 900 kilometers from Malaba to Mombasa, relying solely on portable charging. This journey not only proved the capabilities of electric motorcycles in Kenya’s diverse landscapes but also highlighted how innovation in the sector is making long-haul electric travel possible for everyday riders.

The Route & Charging Strategy

Amboka’s journey spanned some of Kenya’s most challenging terrains, covering stops in Eldoret, Nakuru, Nairobi, Machakos, Kibwezi, and Voi before reaching Mombasa. His Roam Air motorcycle, equipped with a dual-battery system, consistently covered 160–200 kilometers per charge.

At each stop, he plugged into standard power outlets to charge his batteries, spending between KES 140 to 160 per charge — an absolute steal compared to the KES 1,200 he used to spend daily on petrol for the same distance. Beyond just the financial savings, his ride highlighted the practicality of portable charging for boda boda riders who operate outside of urban areas.

The Sustainable Impact For Boda Boda Riders

Beyond this achievement, Amboka’s trip demonstrated how electric motorcycles can transform the economic reality for boda boda riders at scale. By drastically cutting down fuel costs, riders get to keep a bigger chunk of their earnings — whether they are transporting passengers or handling food deliveries via platforms like Uber and Bolt.

Financing businesses like M-Kopa, Watu Credit, traditional banks and even Cooperatives (SACCOs) are stepping up with affordable financing options to help boda boda operators transition to electric. As a result of much lower operating costs and better financial predictability, riders can build a more sustainable income base while reducing their carbon footprint.

Roam’s Growing Electric Mobility Ecosystem

Roam, one of Kenya’s first electric boda boda manufacturers, is at the forefront of this shift. Not only do they sell electric motorcycles, but they also provide financing support through partners and operate a growing network of battery-swapping stations. Their motorcycles are designed to handle the unique demands of boda boda riders, offering reliability, affordability, and easy maintenance.

But what makes Amboka’s journey even more exciting is that he didn’t rely on battery-swapping stations. Instead, the Roam Air’s portable charging system allowed him to travel long distances, making electric mobility viable even in remote areas of Kenya and beyond. This opens up new possibilities for boda boda riders across Kenya — not just for commercial use, but also for personal travel.

The Future Of Electric Boda Bodas In Kenya

The success of this journey is a milestone for Kenya’s electric mobility ecosystem. It’s clear that electric boda bodas are not just a Nairobi or urban phenomenon — they have the potential to transform transport across the country and the rest of the East African region. From bustling cities to remote rural areas, the combination of portable charging, financing options, and lower costs of ownership and operations makes electric motorcycles a game-changer.

Amboka’s journey proves that electric motorcycles are more than just an alternative — they’re the clearly the future and especially for Kenya which generates most of its electricity using green energy from wind, solar, hydro and geothermal sources. Going forward, as the infrastructure around them continues to grow, more riders will realize that switching to electric isn’t just about going green — it’s about making more money, cutting costs, and embracing the next evolution of transport in Kenya. It’s clearly an exciting time for Kenya’s boda boda industry, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!