Patmoz
By Dennis Muritu
Roam, Kenya’s leading electric mobility company, has officially extended its operations to Machakos County, signaling a significant step in its ambitious plan to establish a nationwide electric transport ecosystem. The launch of Roam Shop – Machakos follows the successful opening of a similar outlet in Thika Town, Kiambu County, in November 2024.
Strategically situated at the newly inaugurated TotalEnergies Mua View Service Station, a mere 6 kilometers from Machakos Town along the Kitui Road, the new outlet aims to bring Roam’s innovative electric mobility solutions directly to the local community.
The Roam Shop – Machakos will serve as a hub for sales of the popular Roam Air electric motorcycles, alongside offering crucial battery charging and rental services. Customers in the region will also benefit from readily available after-sales support and dedicated customer service.
This expansion further solidifies Roam’s growing collaboration with TotalEnergies. The energy giant already hosts four Roam Hubs within Nairobi and its environs – at Lusaka Road, Karambee on Juja Road, Waiyaki Way, and Outer Ring Road – demonstrating a progressive shift in petrol stations embracing cleaner mobility alternatives.
Machakos County, known for its challenging, hilly landscape, including notable landmarks like Iveti Hills and the intriguing Kituluni Hill where water appears to defy gravity, presented a unique testing ground for Roam’s technology. Prior to the official launch, Roam deployed five Roam Air units for rigorous test rides across various boda boda stages in the area.
Feedback from riders was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the motorcycle’s exceptional performance even when carrying full loads. The Roam Air boasts an impressive 240 kg payload capacity and a peak torque of 58 Nm, attributes that proved crucial in navigating the demanding terrain. Embodying the company’s “Designed in Africa, for Africa” philosophy, the Roam Air is specifically engineered to meet the needs and challenges faced by African riders.
The economic benefits of switching to electric were also highlighted. Machakos riders can charge their Roam Air batteries at home for approximately KES 80, providing a range of 80–100 km per charge, depending on the driving mode. This stands in stark contrast to the roughly 3 liters of fuel required for the same distance on a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycle, currently costing around KES 175 per liter according to the Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
For riders utilizing the Roam Air’s dual-battery system, the range extends to an impressive 160–200 km on a full charge. Single-battery users can conveniently access charged batteries for rent at the new Roam Hub in Machakos Town for a nominal fee of KES 20 per hour, minimizing potential downtime.
To enhance affordability and accessibility, Roam has partnered with leading financing institutions such as M-Kopa, 4G Capital, Mogo, and Watu Credit. These partnerships offer flexible payment plans, with initial deposits starting as low as KES 10,000 and daily installments from KES 460.
Habib Lukaya, Field Operations Manager at Roam, emphasized the company’s vision: “We’ve always envisioned Roam as a truly Pan-African solution—and that means expanding beyond major urban centers like Nairobi. Machakos presents a perfect blend of opportunity and challenge, particularly with its hilly terrain. The feedback from boda boda riders during our test phase confirmed that the Roam Air can handle these conditions exceptionally well. Our next step is to continue expanding into more counties across Kenya to make clean mobility accessible to everyone.”
Allan Musembi, Chairman of the Machakos Boda Boda Association, echoed this sentiment: “We tested the Roam Air across different stages here in Machakos, and honestly, it’s the best fit for our riders. It handles the hills without a problem, even when carrying heavy loads. Plus, the savings are real – charging at home is much more convenient and cheaper than buying petrol every day. For many of us, this will mean more money going back home to our families. We’re happy to welcome Roam to Machakos.”
Roam’s strategic expansion into Machakos represents a significant stride in its mission to revolutionize African transportation, one clean and efficient ride at a time.
