Kenya’s transition to cleaner transport fuels is increasingly being shaped far from the capital, with Eldoret emerging as a testing ground for low-carbon mobility in fast-growing regional cities.
The launch of a new autoGas (LPG) fuelling station in Eldoret on Thursday 19, signals a shift in how clean transport infrastructure is being rolled out, moving beyond Nairobi to secondary urban centres where vehicle emissions, fuel costs and transport demand are rising rapidly.
The station, developed through a partnership between Oryx Energies and Gasfil Kenya, is designed to serve motorists and commercial transport operators seeking cheaper and lower-emission alternatives to petrol and diesel. AutoGas, which uses liquefied petroleum gas adapted for vehicles, emits fewer greenhouse gases and can cut fuel costs by an estimated 30 to 40 per cent.
Eldoret’s selection reflects its growing importance as a logistics, agricultural and transit hub linking western Kenya to Uganda, South Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The city’s expanding fleet of private vehicles, trucks and public transport has made it a strategic location for piloting cleaner fuel infrastructure outside the capital.
“Decarbonisation is often framed as a Nairobi issue, but cities like Eldoret are where transport growth is happening fastest. This station is our flagship AutoGas site and marks the beginning of a wider expansion into cleaner fuels,” said Oryx Energies East Africa regional manager James Ngugi.
Oryx Energies plans to grow its retail network from 27 stations currently to about 37 by next year, with a target of around 60 stations nationally within three years.
Some of these outlets will be converted into hybrid stations offering petrol, diesel and autoGas, in partnership with Gasfil, which specialises in LPG vehicle systems.
For Gasfil the Eldoret launch highlights the role of secondary cities in scaling low-carbon solutions that balance environmental goals with economic realities.
Full electrification of transport remains constrained by high vehicle costs and limited charging infrastructure, particularly outside major urban centres, making transitional fuels such as LPG an increasingly attractive option.
“Eldoret is a transit city, and transport operators here are very sensitive to fuel costs. AutoGas offers immediate savings while also reducing emissions, which makes it practical for daily commercial use,” said Gasfil Managing Director James Masharia.
Beyond lower fuel bills, the initiative is expected to stimulate job creation through vehicle conversion centres, maintenance services and safety inspections.
Gasfil says it has recruited trainees from local polytechnics and technical institutes, building new skills in LPG vehicle conversion and servicing within the region.
The expansion of cleaner transport infrastructure into cities like Eldoret also highlights broader questions around urbanisation and infrastructure inequality.
While Nairobi has attracted the bulk of investment in electric mobility and clean transport pilots, secondary cities account for a growing share of vehicle growth and emissions.
By positioning Eldoret as an early adopter of autoGas, industry players are testing whether decentralised approaches can deliver faster and more inclusive progress on transport decarbonisation.
by JACKTONE LAWI
