Ruto Announces Plan to Launch Electric Matatus

President William Ruto during his Madaraka Day address at Moi Stadium Embu declared the country's progress in introducing a new transportation system. 

He disclosed that the government is in the advanced stage of introducing an electric vehicle public transport system. If successful, operators will be using electric buses to deal with high fuel prices worldwide. To further his goal, Ruto urged public service operators to utilize this new technology and save their businesses from the expensive operational costs caused by global fuel fluctuations.

"As international petroleum prices continue to rise beyond reach, the cost of fuel locally rises steeply. As a component of household budgets, transport is affecting the cost of living," Ruto stated. 

The new plan is in line with his policies of economic development and environmental protection, which he put into action after taking office. The electric vehicle public transport system is also geared towards reducing emissions. Embassava, Metro Trans, Super Metro and Citi Hoppa are some of the matatu operators that have already purchased electric buses for their services. They launched the buses to ply different routes, providing commuters with lower fares.

Ruto further declared that the government will expect boda boda riders in the public service vehicle sector to acquire electric bikes. He highlighted that this step was essential for revitalising the sector. This proclamation came amid fare hikes as a consequence of a surge in petroleum prices as declared by the Energy and Petroleum Authority of Kenya. In Nairobi, petrol prices went up to Ksh182.70, Diesel rose to Ksh168.40, and Kerosene increased to Ksh161.13.