Kenya's transport sector is shifting towards renewable power, with electric motorcycles becoming increasingly popular. As a result, women are being pulled into the repair, battery and fleet jobs needed to keep the new vehicles on the road. Irene Wali, owner of Chixz Auto Garage and Services, is at the forefront of this movement, training young women in automotive mechanics and electric mobility.
Wali's team not only trains women to work on vehicles but also converts petrol motorcycles to electric power, bringing women into a technical side of transport where they have traditionally had little presence. The garage has advertised a three-month hands-on programme in Kilifi covering repair and maintenance of electric motorbikes, fuel motorbikes and tuk-tuks. Chixz places graduates in jobs through partnerships with companies such as BasiGo.
The electric vehicle market in Kenya has grown rapidly, with 39,324 electric vehicles registered cumulatively by the end of 2025, up from 1,378 in 2022. Electric motorcycles made up 7.07% of new motorcycle registrations in 2024, up from 3.35% a year earlier. The energy authority, EPRA, reported that e-mobility power consumption jumped to 4.57 GWh in July-December 2025, marking a 152.49% rise from 1.81 GWh over the same months in 2024.
Flone Initiative, a women-focused mobility group, sees an opening as each new electric motorcycle drives demand for servicing, fault diagnosis and battery management. The group has three pillars: research and advocacy, skills and mentorship, and access to resources including financing. GIZ's Promotion of Electric Mobility in Kenya project supports the network, created to boost women's participation and leadership in the sector.
Ubuntu Rides, a fleet management and last-mile delivery company, recruits, trains and manages riders who use motorcycles, electric motorcycles and bicycles. Founder and CEO Flo Mwangi insists that women need access to technical training, mentoring and management roles as the industry grows. Ubuntu Rides has become part of the path for some women trained by Chixz.
The Kenyan government is starting to catch up with grassroots activity, introducing its National Electric Mobility Policy in February. The policy aims to draw investment into charging infrastructure, local production, skills training and a mix of financial and non-financial incentives. Women such as Wali are strategising how to absorb more value from the growing chain.
Faith Waraki, who works at AfricaNEV and runs the Green Women Accelerator, argues that skills training needs to connect with actual opportunities in the market. The aim is for women to step in as employers, freight managers, technicians, energy managers and owners. With the right support and training, women can take advantage of the growing demand for electric vehicle skills and create new opportunities for themselves.
Key points
- Women are increasingly taking on roles in Kenya's electric motorcycle industry, including repair, battery and fleet jobs.
- The Kenyan government has introduced a National Electric Mobility Policy to support the growth of the sector.
- Training programs are being implemented to equip women with the technical skills needed to work in the electric vehicle industry.
