Kenyan electric bus company BasiGo has partnered with Rubis Energy Kenya to deploy a network of public DC fast-charging stations along major transport corridors.
This move marks one of the country’s biggest efforts to address a key barrier to electric vehicle adoption: charging infrastructure..
The companies said the first charging station is now operational at the Rubis Sabaki service station in Athi River, with three additional locations in Meru, Nanyuki and Nyeri expected to begin operations before the end of July.
The rollout comes as Kenya’s electric mobility sector shifts from focusing primarily on vehicle deployment to building the infrastructure needed to support long-distance travel for buses, commercial fleets and private motorists.
Unlike many existing charging stations designed for captive fleets, the new facilities will be open to the public, serving electric buses, passenger cars, delivery vans, trucks and other compatible electric vehicles.
The Sabaki site features 100-kilowatt DC fast chargers supporting both CCS2 and GB/T charging standards, allowing most passenger electric vehicles to recharge in under an hour.
Charging will cost about KES 48 per kilowatt-hour, with the same pricing expected across the network.The partnership significantly extends BasiGo’s charging footprint beyond Nairobi, enabling electric buses to operate more efficiently on intercity routes while giving private EV owners greater confidence to travel outside the capital.
“Scaling electric mobility requires infrastructure, and that’s exactly what this partnership with Rubis is building,” said Jit Bhattacharya, BasiGo’s Chief Executive Officer and co-founder. “We are creating the infrastructure that will power EV operations beyond Nairobi and connect communities across Kenya.”
BasiGo Managing Director for Kenya Moses Nderitu said the debate around electric mobility has evolved beyond consumer demand.
“The question is no longer whether operators and the public want to go electric, but whether the infrastructure is in place to support them at scale,” he said. “Every charging station deployed along key transport corridors strengthens the business case for electric mobility.”
For Rubis, the partnership represents part of a broader transition from conventional fuel retailing to integrated energy services.
Rubis Energy Kenya Managing Director Frederic Maupetit said the company is leveraging its nationwide retail network to make EV travel practical across major highways.
“This partnership between BasiGo and Rubis Energy Kenya is a pivotal step in powering Kenya’s sustainable future,” he said. Rubis Energy East and Southern Africa CEO Olivier Sabrie described Kenya as a testing ground for the company’s regional electrification strategy.
“This deal shows how Rubis is evolving from fuel distributor to full energy partner, a shift we expect to replicate across East and Southern Africa,” he said.
The agreement combines Rubis’ network of more than 300 service stations across Kenya with BasiGo’s DC fast-charging network, currently the largest dedicated electric vehicle charging network in East Africa.
Kenya has emerged as one of Africa’s fastest-growing electric mobility markets, driven by abundant renewable electricity, government incentives and rising investment in electric buses, motorcycles and passenger vehicles. However, charging infrastructure has remained concentrated around Nairobi, limiting broader adoption and long-distance travel. By placing high-power chargers along strategic transport corridors, BasiGo and Rubis aim to reduce range anxiety while supporting commercial fleet operators looking to electrify logistics and passenger transport.
The companies said additional charging stations are planned across Kenya and eventually other East and Southern African markets as demand for electric mobility continues to grow.