Former Roots Party presidential running mate Justina Wamae has poured cold water on the push for electric motorbikes in Kenya, arguing that they remain more expensive and less practical than petrol-powered motorcycles.

In a statement shared on her X account on Thursday, September 4, 2025, Wamae said the economic realities of riders cannot be ignored in the ongoing debate on electric mobility. She argued that the cost of charging electric bikes compared to fueling petrol ones shows that riders would still spend more using e-bikes.

“Electric motorbikes are more expensive than petrol ones. To charge one battery costs Ksh300, which will cover less in kilometres than fuel worth Ksh300,” she said.

Fossil fuels drive growth

Wamae also linked the e-mobility debate to global environmental policies, faulting Western nations for pushing African countries to abandon fossil fuels despite having built their own economies using the same energy sources. She questioned the fairness of the push, describing it as yet another example of double standards imposed on developing nations.

“I have always argued that when the global North tell us the global South to stop using fossil fuels because it’s detrimental to the environment, yet they use the same fossil fuels to grow their economies, then they still see Africans as orangutans,” she stated.

According to Wamae, efforts to promote electric mobility in Kenya often overlook the daily struggles of boda boda riders, who form the backbone of both urban and rural transport. She illustrated this with a practical example, noting that electric bikes may not sustain long-distance trips without posing significant charging challenges.

“Send your electric rider to collect something in CBD and deliver to Thika, and then tell us how much they will charge you,” Wamae said.

Her remarks come at a time when the government and private investors are promoting electric bikes as part of Kenya’s clean energy transition. While the initiative is being marketed as affordable and environmentally friendly, critics like Wamae maintain that the economics of fuel versus electricity do not favour riders, many of whom already struggle with high operating costs.

Wamae’s sentiments reflect a growing scepticism among sections of Kenyans who argue that while e-mobility is a good long-term goal, the current cost implications make it impractical for most riders.