Establishing Connections Between E-mobility Innovation and Indigenous Knowledge: Insights from Kenya

The paper argues that Kenya's current e-mobility policies, which favor importing electric vehicles, overlook the value of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS). By leveraging IKS in the design, assembly, and maintenance of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, Kenya can increase local content, create jobs for youth and women, and better achieve its climate goals. The author highlights successful local innovations, such as the 'eMkoko' cargo cart, and calls for policy reforms, including tax incentives for local manufacturers and the integration of IKS into formal technical education.

• Kenya's transport sector is a major source of emissions, contributing 11% of total CO2 emissions and 67% of energy-related emissions, with a motorisation rate of 4.19%, the highest in East Africa.
• Current Kenyan policies prioritize the import of fully built electric vehicles (FBUs) to speed up adoption, which the author argues hinders the use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) for local green technology development.

APA

Gitau, G. (2025). Establishing Connections Between E-mobility Innovation and Indigenous Knowledge: Insights from Kenya. Africa Policy Research Institute. https://afripoli.org/establishing-connections-between-e-mobility-innovation-and-indigenous-knowledge-insights-from-kenya

Chicago

Gitau, Geoffrey. Establishing Connections Between E-mobility Innovation and Indigenous Knowledge: Insights from Kenya. Africa Policy Research Institute, 2025. https://afripoli.org/establishing-connections-between-e-mobility-innovation-and-indigenous-knowledge-insights-from-kenya.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Gitau |first1=Geoffrey |title=Establishing Connections Between E-mobility Innovation and Indigenous Knowledge: Insights from Kenya |publisher=Africa Policy Research Institute |date=23 June 2025 |url=https://afripoli.org/establishing-connections-between-e-mobility-innovation-and-indigenous-knowledge-insights-from-kenya |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{gitau2025establishing, author = {Gitau, Geoffrey}, title = {{Establishing Connections Between E-mobility Innovation and Indigenous Knowledge: Insights from Kenya}}, institution = {Africa Policy Research Institute}, year = {2025}, month = jun, url = {https://afripoli.org/establishing-connections-between-e-mobility-innovation-and-indigenous-knowledge-insights-from-kenya}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }