Electric Tricycles Launched in Kisumu for the First Time

By Kepher Otieno - Reporter

Kenya, 22 April 2026 - Kisumu City has witnessed a historic milestone with the introduction of electric tricycles (e-tuk tuks), marking a significant shift in the region’s transport sector. The move comes amid rising fuel costs, which have increasingly been passed on to consumers, making traditional petrol-powered tuk tuks more expensive to operate.

The launch follows a visit by dealers from Mombasa, who travelled to Kisumu to introduce the new electric vehicles. They received a warm welcome from local tuk tuk operators and SACCO officials, signaling strong support for the transition to cleaner and more affordable transport options.

Nyanza region Tuk Tuk chairman Nelson Ouma Odedo lauded the initiative, describing it as timely given the ongoing fuel crisis.

“We have all along longed for such an opportunity. God bless—it has finally come,” he said.

Ouma, who also heads the Nyanza Tuk Tuk Cooperative Society, noted that the region has over 4,000 operators, highlighting the potential impact of the new technology.

Kisumu County Tuk Tuk riders’ chairman George Obiero also expressed his support, welcoming the investors to the lakeside city. He emphasised the environmental benefits of the electric tuk tuks, noting that they are eco-friendly and aligned with the region’s sustainability goals.

“We want it everywhere. We want it launched across Nyanza. We are ready to work with leaders to adopt it,” he said.

The newly introduced Rhinggo electric tuk tuk is being positioned as a game-changer in the sector. According to dealer Anwar Bujra Said, the vehicle is reliable and cost-effective, with minimal maintenance requirements.

“It hardly breaks down. There are no mechanical issues—only battery swaps,” he explained.

According to another dealer Pervin Mmaitsi, the electric tricycles can travel up to 110 kilometers on a single charge before requiring a battery swap.

More from Kenya

LSK Condemns Arrest of Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga, Activists During Nairobi National Park Protest

Banadir Police Say Illegal Weapons Found Inside Elite Hotel

Mmaitsi and Bujra Said disclosed that this eliminates the frequent and costly repairs associated with conventional tuk tuks, which are often noisy and expensive to maintain.

Priced at KSh 380,000, the Rhinggo e-tuk tuk is significantly more affordable as compared to other petrol and diesel-powered Tuk tuks, which can cost up to KSh 580,000. To make ownership more accessible, financing options have been introduced. Operators can pay a deposit of KSh 76,000 through credit facilities offered by partners such as Fortune Creditors and M-KOPA Rhinggo. There are also discussions to lower the deposit to 10 percent (KSh 38,000) to further ease entry for riders.

Operators stand to benefit economically, with average daily earnings estimated at around KSh 1,500.

The tuk tuk sector in Kisumu currently employs over 4,000 people, and the introduction of electric models is expected to boost livelihoods while reducing operational costs.

The electric tuk tuks have already proven successful in Mombasa, and stakeholders are optimistic that Kisumu will experience similar benefits. With lower running costs, reduced noise, and zero emissions, the new vehicles represent a major step toward sustainable urban mobility in the region.

As adoption begins, leaders and operators alike are hopeful that the initiative will expand across Nyanza, transforming the transport landscape and offering a cleaner, more affordable future for all.