● Roam launches Generation 2 Roam Air with over 40 rider-inspired upgrades tailored for Kenya’s boda boda sector.
● The design responds to the real-world needs of over 3 million boda boda riders who help sustain around 5 million livelihoods across Kenya.
● The new Roam Air variant features enhanced safety, improved ergonomics, a more sophisticated design, and improved waterproofing.
● With 36% locally made components, Roam exceeds Kenya’s Legal Notice 112, unlocking duty benefits and local jobs.
As an OEM, it drives affordability, value, and easier maintenance.
— Roam, Kenya’s pioneering electric vehicle company, has launched the new Generation 2 Roam Air, an upgraded electric motorcycle designed with direct input from boda boda riders. The new model boasts over 40 practical improvements and has undergone extensive testing in both urban and rural settings. Designed and engineered by Roam’s in-house team, the Generation 2 showcases a strong commitment to local innovation and manufacturing.
The revamped Roam Air is a direct response to the economic and practical needs of Kenya’s more than 3 million boda boda riders, whose work sustains an estimated 5 million livelihoods nationwide, according to United Nations (UN) data. The updated model is one kilogram lighter than its predecessor, contributing to improved battery efficiency and overall handling.
A reinforced frame now supports up to 240 kilograms—20 kilograms more than the original model—allowing the motorcycle to better handle the demands of daily transport on Kenya’s diverse roads. The new version introduces a lockable single-door battery compartment aimed at reducing theft and simplifying the battery exchange process, one of the key concerns raised by riders in the earlier model.
Durability has also been improved, including better weather resistance: key components now offer increased rust protection and further waterproofing, including the storage and electronics. The new Roam Air variant also features a more simplified cabling, more sophisticated lighting, and mechanical refinements designed for everyday wear and tear.
Roam has also enhanced comfort with redesigned footrests, a reshaped seat, and a stronger rear carrier to better support both the rider, passenger and their load. In line with its commitment to local manufacturing, Roam has increased domestic production of key parts to 36%, including the body panels, wire harness, connectors, battery compartment, mechanical auxiliaries, and storage unit. This step is expected to shorten the supply chain, reduce maintenance costs, and support Kenya’s growing clean-tech manufacturing sector by creating jobs.
Under Kenya’s Legal Notice 112, manufacturers that localize 11 key parts qualify for the Duty Remission Scheme (DRS). Roam’s Generation 2 goes further, with over 40 locally produced components, including plastic, metal, and electronic parts. As an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Roam owns its designs and tooling, enabling greater local value addition and long-term affordability.
Roam’s Production Manager, Monicah Mwalo, emphasized the importance of community involvement in the redesign process. “We didn’t just update a few features—we rethought the motorcycle with input from the people who use it every day. This version is grounded in Kenyan realities.”
Some early users have reported measurable cost savings. Joel Amboka, a Nairobi-based boda boda rider, said, “Before Roam, most of my money went to petrol and repairs. Now I charge at home, spending under KES 200, and ride all day. It’s made a real difference in my income. I can also easily run my daily activities thanks to the strong frame.”
About Roam
Roam is a Kenyan-based electric mobility company developing tailored transport solutions for the African market. Recognized globally as a finalist for the Earthshot Prize and one of the 2024 Impact/100 startups by the Norrsken Foundation, Roam is leading a local shift toward cleaner, more efficient mobility. Its innovations — including a 6,000-kilometer solar-powered journey from Nairobi to Stellenbosch on the Roam Air electric motorcycle — continue to demonstrate the durability and practicality of electric transport on the continent. In 2025, Roam was named Africa’s top 40 and Kenya’s fastest-growing company by the Financial Times.
