Electric cars are gaining popularity in Kenya and by extension towns including Nakuru. Being a city that sits on the Northern corridor, electric automobile users pass by here while on transit.

This is what informed the installation of a charging point at Westside mall targeting persons with electric cars and motorcycles.

While visiting the mall, we interacted with the security personnel Abraham Keter who mentions that the charging station has been operational since mid-May.
However, Keter notes that it is yet to gain popularity as majority of the automobiles in Nakuru are fuel-powered.

“So far, only two vehicles have been charged at this point. The two, were people on transit from Nairobi. I haven’t interacted with a Nakuru resident who has brought their cars or bikes for charging,” Keter says.

He notes that, the charging station is currently free adding that this might change in due course.

He continues to say, “The only charge motorists incur while using this public charging station is the parking fee which is managed by a different entity within Westside mall. Charging takes at least three hours for the vehicle to be fully charged.”

During my interview with Keter, I noticed some people approached the charging station with some proceeding to read the instruction at the bottom of the charging station, while others just stared at the charging point and walked past it.

I caught up with John Kamau who was doing some construction work by the station.

He was quick to note that, he does not exactly understand how the facility works, since he has not seen an electric car in his life.

He however mentions that he is conversant with matters climate change, commending the use of electricity on vehicles to reduce carbon emission.

“This will help us in the long run to cope with the climate change menace,” says Kamau

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First public E-auto charging station set up in Nakuru

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