Roam Powers the Race: Electric Vehicles Take Over Nairobi Marathon Logistics

By Robert Kibet

Nairobi, Kenya, July 2, 2025: For the first time, the Nairobi City Marathon will deploy electric vehicles and motorcycles to support its event logistics, marking a groundbreaking shift toward sustainable practices in one of East Africa’s largest sporting events.

This year’s edition is not only about breaking records on the track but also about setting a new benchmark in environmental responsibility. The introduction of clean mobility solutions aims to reduce the event’s carbon footprint and promote greener cities.

The green transition is being powered by a strategic partnership with Roam Electric, a proudly Kenyan electric mobility company. Roam will provide a fleet of electric buses and motorcycles to facilitate essential race-day operations, including the movement of athletes, media crews, race officials, and air quality monitoring equipment.

Speaking during the pre-marathon press conference, Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, President of Athletics Kenya, acknowledged the milestone:

“For the first time, we are going to have electric vehicles now,” he said, underscoring Athletics Kenya’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Habib Lukaya, Roam’s Country Manager, expressed the company’s pride in contributing to a cleaner marathon experience.

“Roam Electric is a Kenyan company committed to electrifying Africa one vehicle at a time. And it's an honour for us to participate in the Nairobi City Marathon,” Lukaya said.

“Our presence here highlights the vital role electric mobility plays in improving air quality and promoting healthier, more sustainable cities. This benefits both sports and public health.”

With over 15,000 runners expected and thousands more supporters and staff, large-scale movement within the city can put pressure on transport systems and the environment. 

Traditionally, such events rely on fuel-powered vehicles that contribute to air pollution. The integration of electric vehicles provides a cleaner alternative, helping to slash carbon emissions and set a new standard for sustainable event logistics.

Roam Electric’s involvement includes the coordination of both electric motorcycles and buses, not only to ferry participants and media but also to support the deployment of air quality sensors across the race route.

“We’ll be able to coordinate and understand how many vehicles we are going to provide, both buses and also electric motorcycles,” Nduka added. “We are very happy to be part of the Nairobi City Marathon.”

Organisers say the collaboration is more than a one-off — it’s a signal of long-term intent to green the event and inspire other sporting platforms to adopt clean energy solutions.

“The marathon provides a powerful platform to show that electric mobility is scalable, efficient, and ready for Kenya,” said Lukaya in earlier remarks.

As runners prepare to take on the city’s streets this Sunday, they’ll do so supported by a silent, emission-free fleet — a bold step toward cleaner air and smarter cities.