Nairobi, Kenya – The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has found itself at the centre of Kenya’s energy transition, simultaneously pushing policies to support the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) while cracking down on fraudulent practices in the fossil fuel market.
This week, EPRA announced a comprehensive review of its e-mobility tariff, first introduced in April 2023, to spur the adoption of EVs by lowering charging costs. The review, expected to be concluded in early 2026, will incorporate lessons from two years of implementation and feedback from stakeholders. EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo explained that the revised tariff will address technical and financial barriers while ensuring affordability. “Kenya has immense potential to lead Africa in electric mobility. We want to ensure that charging stations are accessible, reliable, and affordable while also supporting investment in renewable energy,” Kiptoo said.
The tariff was initially set at Sh17 per kilowatt-hour for commercial charging, with residential charging pegged to standard electricity rates. However, EV owners and operators have raised concerns about hidden costs, inadequate charging infrastructure, and high upfront investment. According to industry estimates, Kenya has just over 2,500 registered EVs, mostly two- and three-wheelers, but projections suggest the number could rise to more than 100,000 by 2030 if supportive policies are in place.
While promoting the shift to clean transport, EPRA is also grappling with deep-rooted challenges in the conventional fuel market. On Wednesday, the regulator announced it had shut down 12 petrol stations across several counties for selling adulterated fuel and operating without valid licences. The crackdown followed market surveillance exercises where inspectors found stations dispensing kerosene-laced petrol and diesel, practices that damage engines, defraud motorists, and harm the environment.
“We cannot allow unscrupulous traders to compromise fuel quality and endanger consumers. This is theft, pure and simple,” Kiptoo said in a stern warning. EPRA has since forwarded the cases to investigative agencies, with offenders facing fines of up to Sh1 million or jail terms under the Energy Act.
The regulator’s dual focus highlights the complexity of Kenya’s energy landscape: managing a cleaner future while tackling present-day malpractices. Analysts say the efforts are intertwined. “You cannot successfully build trust in new technologies like EVs if consumers doubt the regulator’s ability to police even the traditional fuel market,” noted energy policy expert Dr. Faith Wanjiru.
For motorists, the contrasting headlines, one about fake fuel and another about e-mobility incentives, capture the crossroads Kenya faces. On one hand, EV startups are emerging, importing electric buses and motorbikes, and investing in charging stations. On the other hand, the reliability of conventional petrol stations remains shaky, with fraud and adulteration recurring.
The government has tied its EV push to broader climate goals under the Paris Agreement, with plans to cut carbon emissions by 32 P.c by 2030. To support this, EPRA is expected to streamline EV charging regulations, expand licensing for private operators, and strengthen the grid to handle increased demand.
For now, EPRA’s message is clear: Kenya’s energy transition will not succeed unless both new and old systems are well-regulated. “We are building the future while cleaning up the present,” Kiptoo remarked, underscoring the regulator’s resolve to steer Kenya toward a safer, greener, and more accountable energy sector.
