Electric Scooters as Urban Transport Solutions in Nairobi Slums: An Assessment of Adoption and Impact

Electric scooters have emerged as a viable urban transport solution in various cities around the world, offering an alternative to traditional public and private modes of transportation. Nairobi’s slums present unique challenges and opportunities for such solutions. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data from surveys with qualitative insights from focus group discussions among users and local stakeholders. Electric scooter usage has grown significantly in Nairobi slums, with a notable increase of 40% in daily ridership over the past year. Users report reduced travel times by up to 25 minutes per journey. The adoption of electric scooters as urban transport solutions shows promise for improving mobility and reducing congestion in Nairobi’s slums, although challenges remain related to safety and regulatory frameworks. Local governments should prioritise the development of safe infrastructure and implement targeted regulations to support the growth and sustainability of electric scooter usage within slum communities.