There has been a lot of discussion on X about @spirokenya bikes and battery ownership, so here are the facts:
Spiro sells its electric bikes at an affordable price of KSh 95,000. For riders who prefer Lipa Mdogo Mdogo, the option is a KSh 9,500 deposit followed by KSh 180 per day for 24 months. This pricing is intentionally structured to make electric mobility accessible to the common mwananchi.
The bike itself belongs to the rider, but the battery remains the property of Spiro. If Spiro were to sell the bike together with the battery and charger, the cost would be significantly higher, defeating the goal of affordability.
This battery model actually works to the rider’s advantage. If a battery becomes faulty, the rider does not need to purchase a new one. You simply swap it at a Spiro station and continue working with minimal downtime.
Understanding the business model is important before drawing conclusions. Transparency and facts matter.
#EnergyOnTheMove