Ruto signs KSh389B electric vehicle deal at State House

Kenya partners with Endelevu and Geely to build cars, charging hubs and green mobility jobs on home soil

By David Kimani

President William Ruto yesterday presided over the signing of a KSh389B memorandum of understanding with Endelevu Enterprise Corporation at State House, Nairobi, committing the country to one of the largest electric vehicle manufacturing investments in the region.

The $3B deal covers the assembly of 50,000 four-wheel vehicles and 100,000 two-wheelers annually, 1,000 solar-powered charging hubs and a digital platform to manage up to 100,000 green vehicles. The project is projected to create 2,000 direct jobs and more than 20,000 indirect positions, with up to 80,000 further opportunities in fleet management and services.

“Value must be added here. Skills must be built here. Jobs must be created here,” Ruto said, linking the signing to Kenya’s broader industrialisation agenda alongside last week’s groundbreaking for the Dangote refinery in Lamu.

The government has already ordered 3,000 electric vehicles for security and administration officers and announced duty-free entry for the first 100,000 electric vehicles imported into Kenya. Ruto directed KenInvest to fast-track approvals, land and infrastructure to move the project from signature to production without delay.

Investment Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui and Endelevu chairman Susong Tong both attended the signing alongside National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and senior cabinet members.

Some of the moments as captured in pictures

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