KCB, Matatu Owners Association Launch EV Charging Station in Buruburu

KCB Bank Kenya, the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) and electric mobility firm ePureMotion have launched an electric vehicle charging station for public service vehicles (PSVs) in Nairobi’s Buruburu Estate.

The facility is expected to support the gradual adoption of electric matatus by providing charging infrastructure for the sector.

It builds on a partnership announced in 2024, under which KCB committed to supporting the modernisation of Kenya’s public transport sector through asset financing and insurance premium financing for matatu saccos upgrading their fleets.

Juliana Kinyua, Ag Unit Head of Asset Finance and Insurance Premium Finance at KCB Bank, said the station reflects the bank’s commitment to sustainable mobility.

“KCB’s partnership with the Matatu Owners Association is about unlocking practical financing pathways that allow the public transport sector to modernize at scale,” Kinyua said.

Under the arrangement, KCB will provide structured financing to eligible public transport investors and saccos, subject to its normal credit assessment and approval processes.

ePureMotion will provide maintenance services, spare parts, technical training and digital fleet management solutions, with plans to introduce electric matatus as adoption grows.

MOA President Albert Karakacha said the collaboration would help ensure matatu owners are not left behind in the transition to electric mobility.

“The matatu industry has always been the backbone of everyday mobility in Kenya. Through this collaboration with KCB and implementation support from ePureMotion, MOA is taking a deliberate step to ensure that our members are not left behind,” Karakacha said.

The association will coordinate participating saccos and operators, support member preparedness and oversee industry engagement as the programme expands.

The Buruburu station will serve as a pilot site where operators can test charging operations, vehicle readiness checks, maintenance scheduling and driver training.

Lessons from the project are expected to guide the rollout of similar facilities along other high-demand matatu routes and sacco locations across the country.

The launch comes months after the government unveiled the National Electric Mobility Policy, which provides a framework for expanding electric transport, attracting investment and developing charging infrastructure in Kenya.

The policy is aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector, one of the country’s largest consumers of fossil fuels.

Public transport accounts for a substantial share of petroleum consumption in Kenya, while the national grid is already powered predominantly by renewable sources, including geothermal, hydro, wind and solar.

Download the free Kaspersky SMB Cybersecurity Guide here to learn how businesses can move beyond traditional antivirus and build a more resilient approach to cybersecurity.