Kenyan women are increasingly entering the electric vehicle (EV) sector, particularly in repair, battery management, and fleet operations, as the country’s EV market expands. This shift is driven by a surge in demand for technical expertise to maintain and service the growing number of electric motorcycles, tricycles, and bicycles. Organizations such as Chixz Auto Garage and Siaya National Polytechnic are leading efforts to equip women with the skills needed to thrive in this evolving industry, creating opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship in a sector historically dominated by men.
Irene Wali, founder of Chixz Auto Garage and Services, has been at the forefront of this movement. Her initiative trains women in automotive mechanics, electric mobility, and solar systems, with a focus on converting petrol motorcycles to electric power. Wali’s work aligns with Kenya’s broader transition to renewable energy and the rising demand for EV-related skills. The garage also offers hands-on training programs in Kilifi, covering repair and maintenance for electric motorbikes, fuel motorbikes, and tuk-tuks, and partners with companies like BasiGo to place graduates in jobs.
The Siaya National Polytechnic in western Kenya recently launched a specialized electric mobility curriculum, developed by Songa Mobility and accredited by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority. This program, part of a broader push to address the skills gap in the EV sector, includes training in the repair and maintenance of electric motorcycles, vehicles, tricycles, and bicycles. The initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need for technical education to support Kenya’s e-mobility ambitions.
Chixz Auto Garage is also expanding its model through a franchise system called Chixz Hub, which aims to establish local repair shops and battery-swapping points in towns with high motorcycle usage but limited technical services. Wali emphasized that the hub model allows trained women to open and manage their own branches while receiving mentorship and incubation support. This approach targets young women and mothers from low-income settlements who face financial barriers to higher education and seek stable livelihoods.
Wali’s focus on empowering women is rooted in the challenges of rural and peri-urban areas, where electric motorcycles are a common mode of transport but skilled mechanics are scarce. “Our trained women therefore have an opportunity to get in and earn a living,” she said. The garage’s programs prioritize young women aged 16-24 from low-income communities, offering them technical skills to break into the transport sector and support their families.
Kenya’s electric vehicle market has grown rapidly, with cumulative registrations reaching 39,324 by the end of 2025, up from 1,378 in 2022, according to the Ministry of Roads and Transport. Data from the Electric Mobility Association of Kenya shows that electric motorcycles accounted for 7.07% of new motorcycle registrations in 2024, compared to 3.35% in 2023. With 68,804 new motorcycle registrations in 2024, including 4,862 electric models, the sector’s expansion is accelerating.
Energy consumption for e-mobility also surged, reaching 4.57 GWh in July–December 2025, a 152.49% increase from 1.81 GWh in the same period in 2024, according to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). This growth underscores the need for a skilled workforce to maintain and service the expanding fleet of electric vehicles, particularly in remote areas where infrastructure is limited.
Flone Initiative, a women-focused mobility group, highlights the growing demand for servicing, fault diagnosis, and battery management as electric motorcycles proliferate. Chixz Auto Garage trains women in vehicle repair, electric motorcycle maintenance, and EV battery repair, offering internships and job placements. The center is also certified to train individuals with disabilities, further broadening its impact.
Wali’s next goal is to establish repair shops in remote areas, creating “one-stop hubs” that combine training, spare parts, battery swapping, charging, and vehicle conversions. However, challenges such as the high cost of specialist technicians and limited access to spare parts persist. Many suppliers control pricing and distribution, making it difficult for small-scale operators to compete.
Flo Mwangi, founder and CEO of Ubuntu Rides, a fleet management and last-mile delivery company, emphasizes the need for women to move beyond administrative roles and into technical and leadership positions. Her company, which employs 64 riders within six months of launch, has only three women drivers. Mwangi advocates for technical training, mentorship, and management opportunities to ensure women can fully participate in the sector’s growth.
Ubuntu Rides has partnered with Chixz Auto Garage to provide employment opportunities for trained women. Wali noted that such collaborations are critical for ensuring that skills training translates into viable careers. Flone Initiative’s Women in E Mobility Network, supported by GIZ’s WE4D program, focuses on research, advocacy, skills development, and access to resources, including financing, to boost women’s participation in the sector.
The Kenyan government’s National Electric Mobility Policy, introduced in February 2026, aims to attract investment in charging infrastructure, local production, and skills training. The policy aligns with the country’s broader goal of building a sustainable transport industry, encompassing manufacturing, assembly, servicing, and fleet operations. Women like Wali and Faith Waraki, who runs the Green Women Accelerator, are leveraging this momentum to position women as employers, technicians, and leaders in the sector.
Waraki argues that skills training must connect with market opportunities. For example, a woman trained in battery technology needs clear pathways to employment. The Siaya Level 4 program, designed around service and repair, provides practical exposure to electric tricycles and bicycles through an e-mobility hub supported by Songa Mobility. Flone’s Empower Her Mobility project, in partnership with GIZ, works with medium-sized e-mobility companies to improve workplace practices and attract women and people with disabilities.
In Uganda, Liliane Felix of Women Rising for Africa has expanded her Women on Wheels program to include electric vehicle technician training, emphasizing transport access as a key factor in women’s safety and economic independence. In western Kenya, 23 women trained through a program involving WeTu and partners have transitioned into roles as technicians, battery swap attendants, and business owners. However, challenges such as family pressure and limited market access persist, with UNEP research showing that women account for just 5% of electric vehicle drivers in Kenya.
As electric motorcycles become more prevalent, the women trained to repair, service, and manage them could form a critical workforce for Kenya’s e-mobility sector. Initiatives by Wali, Mwangi, and Waraki highlight the potential for women to drive innovation and economic growth, while also addressing gender disparities in the transport industry. With government policies and grassroots efforts aligning, the future of Kenya’s electric vehicle sector may depend on the continued empowerment of women in technical and leadership roles.
The rise of electric vehicles in Kenya is not just a technological shift but a social one, with women playing a pivotal role in shaping the industry’s future. From training programs to entrepreneurial ventures, women are breaking barriers and creating opportunities in a sector that promises to redefine mobility and sustainability. As the EV market continues to grow, the contributions of these women will be essential in ensuring that the benefits of this transformation are widely shared.