Kenya’s push to cut transport emissions and fuel costs is increasingly shifting away from Nairobi, with the western city of Eldoret emerging as a testing ground for cleaner mobility in fast-growing regional centres.
The launch of a new autoGas (liquefied petroleum gas, LPG) fuelling station in Eldoret on December 19 marks a change in how clean transport infrastructure is being deployed in the country. Rather than concentrating investment in the capital, energy firms are targeting secondary cities where vehicle numbers, fuel demand and emissions are rising rapidly.
The station, developed through a partnership between Oryx Energies and Gasfil Kenya, is aimed at private motorists and commercial transport operators seeking alternatives to petrol and diesel. AutoGas, which uses LPG adapted for vehicles, emits fewer greenhouse gases and can reduce fuel costs by an estimated 30 to 40 percent compared with conventional fuels, industry officials say.
Eldoret’s selection reflects its growing role as a logistics, agricultural and transit hub linking western Kenya to Uganda, South Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Located along key regional corridors, the city has seen steady growth in private vehicles, trucks and public transport, making it a strategic site for piloting cleaner fuel solutions outside Nairobi.
“Decarbonisation is often framed as a Nairobi issue, but cities like Eldoret are where transport growth is happening fastest,” said James Ngugi, East Africa regional manager at Oryx Energies. “This station is our flagship autoGas site and marks the beginning of a wider expansion into cleaner fuels.”
Oryx Energies currently operates 27 fuel stations in Kenya and plans to expand its network to about 37 outlets by next year, with a longer-term target of around 60 stations nationwide within three years. Some of these stations will be converted into hybrid outlets offering petrol, diesel and autoGas, in partnership with Gasfil, which specialises in LPG vehicle systems.
For Gasfil, the Eldoret launch highlights the importance of secondary cities in scaling low-carbon transport solutions that balance environmental objectives with economic constraints. While electric mobility has gained momentum in Kenya, full electrification remains limited by the high cost of electric vehicles and a lack of charging infrastructure, particularly outside major urban areas.
“Eldoret is a transit city, and transport operators here are very sensitive to fuel costs,” said Gasfil managing director James Masharia. “AutoGas offers immediate savings while also reducing emissions, which makes it practical for daily commercial use.”
Kenya’s transport sector is one of the country’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, driven by rapid urbanisation, rising vehicle ownership and heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels. The government has outlined plans to promote cleaner fuels and electric mobility as part of its climate commitments, but progress has been uneven across regions.
Most investment in electric vehicles, charging stations and clean transport pilots has so far been concentrated in Nairobi, reflecting its higher incomes and denser infrastructure. However, analysts note that secondary cities account for a growing share of vehicle growth and emissions, underscoring the need for more decentralised approaches.
Beyond environmental benefits, the expansion of autoGas infrastructure is expected to generate jobs and skills in local economies. Gasfil says it has recruited trainees from local polytechnics and technical institutes in Eldoret to support vehicle conversion, maintenance and safety inspections.
Industry players argue that transitional fuels such as LPG can play a critical role in reducing emissions in the near term while laying the groundwork for longer-term shifts to electric mobility.
“Electric vehicles are part of the future, but the economics and infrastructure are not yet in place everywhere,” said Masharia. “Cleaner fuels like autoGas can deliver immediate impact, especially in regional cities.”
By positioning Eldoret as an early adopter, energy firms are testing whether cleaner transport solutions can scale beyond the capital and gain traction in cities that underpin Kenya’s trade, agriculture and regional connectivity.
If successful, the model could be replicated across other fast-growing urban centres, reshaping how Kenya approaches transport decarbonisation and narrowing the gap between the capital and the rest of the country.
