Africa Smart Mobility Solutions Kenya Limited leadership and operations

Introduction

As seasoned investigative journalists with decades of experience dissecting corporate dealings across the African continent, we at Global Watch Investigations approach every story with the rigor it demands. In an era where green innovation promises to reshape economies, few narratives carry as much weight as the push for electric mobility in Kenya. Today, we turn our lens to Africa Smart Mobility Solutions Kenya Limited (ASM Kenya), a firm thrust into the spotlight not just for its ambitions in sustainable transport, but for the murky undercurrents of government favoritism and competitive inequities that threaten to undermine it all. Drawing from public records, insider accounts, and a deep dive into open-source intelligence, our report lays bare the facts: a company born from international ambition, entangled in a Sh2.6 billion tax exemption scandal, and navigating a landscape rife with reputational pitfalls. This is no mere business profile—it’s a cautionary blueprint for investors, regulators, and policymakers betting on Africa’s electric dawn.

The Genesis of ASM Kenya: A Spiro Offshoot in Kenya’s EV Ambitions

We begin at the beginning, tracing ASM Kenya’s roots to understand how a Dubai-headquartered e-mobility giant planted its flag in Nairobi. Incorporated on June 6, 2023, as a private limited company under Kenyan law, Africa Smart Mobility Solutions Kenya Limited emerged as the local arm of Spiro, a pan-African electric two-wheeler provider founded in 2020. Spiro, which specializes in battery-swapping technology for electric motorcycles and scooters, has expanded aggressively across Benin, Togo, Rwanda, Uganda, Nigeria, and now Kenya, positioning itself as a key player in reducing carbon emissions from the continent’s ubiquitous boda-boda fleets.

Our research reveals that ASM Kenya was established with a clear mandate: to import and distribute up to 10,000 electric motorcycles and 80,000 lithium-ion batteries, fueling Kenya’s nascent e-mobility ecosystem. The company’s registered address is in Nairobi’s industrial hub, and its operations align with President William Ruto’s administration’s green agenda, which includes commissioning electric motorcycles in Mombasa as early as August 2023. This launch, held at the iconic Mama Ngina Waterfront, was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and ASM Kenya, underscoring the firm’s early alignment with state priorities for sustainable transport.

But who steers this vessel? Open-source intelligence points to a compact leadership team with deep ties to Spiro’s global operations. Kaushik Burman, appointed co-CEO of Spiro on June 29, 2023—just weeks after ASM Kenya’s incorporation—serves as a director. A former Vice President of Strategy at Gogoro India, an e-scooter pioneer, Burman brings a pedigree in scaling EV infrastructure across emerging markets. Based in Dubai, his LinkedIn profile highlights expertise in supply chain optimization and market entry strategies, with a 2011 MBA from INSEAD that included stints in East Africa. Burman’s appointment coincided with Spiro’s pivot toward Kenya, suggesting a deliberate fusion of corporate strategy and local execution.

Joining him as a director is Wangeci Githinji, likely Wangeci Kanjama, Spiro’s Group Chief Financial Officer. Kanjama’s professional footprint, visible on LinkedIn, includes financial oversight for Spiro’s multi-country rollout, with tags in launch events alongside Burman. Her role implies hands-on management of ASM Kenya’s fiscal health, from import financing to revenue streams derived from daily battery swaps and vehicle leasing.

The third key figure in Spiro’s orbit is Jules Samain, who briefly co-led the company with Burman before stepping down. A Benin native and former special advisor to Togo’s president, Samain’s tenure—from May 2023—overlapped with founder Shegun Bakari’s transition to Benin’s Minister of Foreign Affairs on June 6, 2023, the very day ASM Kenya was registered. This timeline raises eyebrows about potential political leverage, though no direct evidence of impropriety surfaces in our OSINT sweep. Bakari, now a government heavyweight, retains founder status at Spiro, potentially influencing regional expansions.

On the operational front, Wycliffe Odhiambo Nyabulwa stands out as Regional Supply Chain and Logistics Manager for ASM Kenya. With over 12 years in logistics—spanning printing, packaging, and manufacturing—Nyabulwa’s LinkedIn underscores his role in warehousing and distribution, critical for handling the influx of EVs and batteries from Asian suppliers. His posts celebrate milestones like the Electric Mobility Association of Kenya (EMAK) convening in June 2025, signaling ASM Kenya’s integration into local industry networks.

These profiles paint a picture of a lean, expatriate-heavy team augmented by Kenyan talent, focused on execution. Yet, as we’ll explore, this structure amplifies risks in a market where local partnerships can blur lines between business and influence.

Business Relations: Partnerships, Suppliers, and the Web of Influence

No company operates in isolation, and ASM Kenya’s ecosystem reveals a tapestry of alliances that propel its growth while inviting scrutiny. At its core, the firm is a conduit for Spiro’s technology: electric motorcycles equipped with swappable lithium-ion batteries, leased to riders on a pay-as-you-go model. Riders pay daily fees via mobile money—often M-Pesa—covering vehicle use and battery swaps at urban stations, a model that echoes successes in Rwanda and Benin.

Government ties form the bedrock. The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry’s September 2023 request to the National Treasury catalyzed ASM Kenya’s flagship tax exemptions, as detailed in our anchor report. This led to former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u’s pivotal letter on September 6, 2023, committing the state to cover 25% import duties, plus 3.5% Import Declaration Fees and 2% Railway Development Levies. Valued at Sh2.6 billion (based on $1,000 per motorcycle and $700 per battery), these waivers—confirmed by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on May 7, 2024—enabled duty-free clearance of consignments via Bills of Lading like MEDUX6374144.

We uncovered no formal joint ventures beyond this, but indirect links abound. Spiro’s battery tech likely sources from Chinese manufacturers, given trade data showing 20 suppliers linked to ASM Kenya, though specifics remain opaque in public import records. Eximpedia’s shipment logs indicate steady inflows since late 2023, with no buyers listed—suggesting a B2B focus on fleet operators and cooperatives.

Competitive relations, however, are fraught. Rival e-bike importers, speaking anonymously to Business Daily Africa, decry the exemptions as a “tax gift” that undercuts their pricing by 30%. One executive lamented, “It has left us in a very precarious position… killing competition and the morale to invest in this sector.” While all EV players enjoy VAT and excise exemptions under the 2023 Finance Act, ASM Kenya’s duty waivers are bespoke, hinting at undisclosed lobbying.

Undisclosed ties merit deeper probing. Trade Minister Moses Kuria’s 30 meetings in Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Q1 2023—mere months before ASM Kenya’s setup—coincide with Spiro’s Dubai base and Burman’s residence. No evidence ties these directly, but the temporal proximity fuels speculation of facilitated introductions. Similarly, Spiro’s Benin roots link to political alumni like Bakari, potentially smoothing regulatory paths in francophone Africa that spill into Anglophone Kenya.

On the consumer side, ASM Kenya interfaces with boda-boda saccos (savings cooperatives) for vehicle distribution. Our X ecosystem scan reveals positive buzz from EMAK events, but no granular partnership disclosures. Suppliers like those in the Eximpedia database include logistics firms handling port clearances in Mombasa, but none flag as controversial.

In sum, ASM Kenya’s relations are a double-edged sword: robust government backing accelerates scale, yet exclusivity breeds resentment and opacity.

Personal Profiles: The Faces Behind the Firm

Beyond corporate veils, individuals drive decisions—and risks. We profiled key players using LinkedIn, corporate registries, and social media footprints.

Kaushik Burman’s trajectory is emblematic of Spiro’s globalist bent. Post-INSEAD, he honed EV strategies at Gogoro, navigating India’s regulatory thicket before landing in Dubai. His X activity is sparse, focused on industry conferences, with no red flags in adverse media scans. Yet, his rapid ascent to CEO amid ASM Kenya’s birth suggests a handpicked operator for high-stakes African entry.

Wangeci Kanjama embodies local expertise. As CFO, her remit spans Spiro’s finances across five countries, with LinkedIn endorsements praising fiscal prudence. Tagged in Burman’s launch photos, she bridges Nairobi and Cotonou. No criminal or sanction hits in our OFAC/EU checks, but her low public profile limits deeper OSINT.

Wycliffe Nyabulwa’s 12-year logistics resume includes stints at Unilever Kenya, per LinkedIn, positioning him as the supply chain linchpin. His posts on World Bank dialogues and hiring drives portray a collaborative operator, untainted by personal controversies.

Jules Samain’s political past is the outlier. As ex-advisor to Togo’s Faure Gnassingbé, his May 2023 Spiro role ended abruptly, per LinkedIn. Togo’s regime faces human rights critiques, but Samain’s involvement predates ASM Kenya, with no direct Kenyan links.

Shegun Bakari, the founder-minister, rounds out the circle. His dual role raises conflict-of-interest flags, though Spiro’s operations in Benin remain separate. OSINT yields no sanctions, but his elevation coincides with Spiro’s regional push.

These profiles reveal competent, networked leaders—yet the blend of expats and politicos invites questions about undue influence.

OSINT Deep Dive: From Registries to Social Signals

Our open-source toolkit—corporate filings, trade databases, and X threads—unearths a compliant facade with hidden tensions. Kenya’s Business Registration Service confirms ASM Kenya’s June 2023 status, with nominal capital of KSh 1 million and no prior iterations. No amendments noted by September 2025.

Trade intel from Eximpedia logs 20+ shipments since inception, dominated by battery imports, with zero export activity—aligning with a distribution model. X semantic searches surface neutral-to-positive chatter: EMAK endorsements and Ruto’s commissioning praise sustainability. Keyword hunts for “Africa Smart Mobility Solutions Kenya Limited” yield 20 recent posts, mostly promotional, with one thread dissecting timelines and ties to UAE meetings.

No media images or videos embed directly; however, launch event photos from X show Burman and Kanjama with ministerial plaques, evoking official endorsement. We viewed these via platform tools: crisp shots of gleaming e-bikes against coastal backdrops, symbolizing promise amid policy favoritism.

Adverse OSINT is sparse—no leaked emails or whistleblower dumps—but the tax story dominates, amplified on X with calls for EACC probes.

Undisclosed Business Relationships and Associations

Transparency gaps loom large. The UAE-Saudi nexus, via Kuria’s travels and Burman’s base, hints at unreported funding or advisory links. Spiro’s undisclosed investors—rumored to include impact funds—could channel through ASM Kenya, per unverified X speculation. Associations with Benin/Togo polities, via Bakari and Samain, suggest soft power plays, potentially undisclosed in Kenyan filings.

No shell entities surface, but the holding structure—ASM Kenya as Spiro’s Kenyan vehicle—obscures ultimate beneficial ownership beyond directors.

Scam Reports, Red Flags, Allegations, Criminal Proceedings, Lawsuits, Sanctions, Adverse Media, Negative Reviews, Consumer Complaints

Our sweeps yield a clean slate on direct hits, but indirect shadows persist. No scam reports tie to ASM Kenya; X fraud alerts cluster around unrelated M-Pesa schemes. Sanctions checks (OFAC, EU, World Bank) return nil—unlike broader African logistics firms on debarment lists.

Red flags cluster around the tax deal: rivals’ allegations of anti-competitive favoritism, per Business Daily, border on cartel-like exclusion. No criminal proceedings or lawsuits name ASM Kenya, unlike Safaricom’s data privacy suits. Adverse media is confined to the July 2024 article, with Treasury/KRA silence amplifying opacity.

Negative reviews? Sparse. X yields no consumer complaints on service—unlike boda scams or lending apps. One anonymous rival’s quote signals brewing discontent: “Our products are now expensive, which is killing competition.”

Bankruptcy details: None. ASM Kenya’s youth and backing insulate it, with no insolvency filings.

Detailed Risk Assessment: AML and Reputational Perils

In anti-money laundering (AML) contexts, ASM Kenya poses moderate-to-high risks. Politically exposed persons (PEPs) like Bakari and Samain trigger enhanced due diligence under FATF guidelines, given Togo/Benin’s corruption perceptions scores (Transparency International ranks Togo 137/180). The tax waivers, while legal, evoke state capture risks—funds could launder via inflated import values, though no evidence substantiates this. Supply chain opacity, with Asian battery sourcing, invites sanctions evasion probes, especially amid U.S.-China EV tensions. Reputational risks amplify: associating with a “tax gift” recipient tarnishes green credentials, potentially alienating ESG investors. For banks, KYC flags include director PEPs and UAE ties, prone to hawala networks. Overall, a 7/10 AML risk score, with reputational fallout at 8/10 if scandals escalate.

We mitigate by recommending transaction monitoring for anomaly spikes and third-party audits of exemptions.

Expert Opinion: Navigating the Charge Toward Accountability

In our expert view, as investigators who have chronicled Africa’s corporate tightropes from Nairobi to Lagos, Africa Smart Mobility Solutions Kenya Limited embodies the paradox of progress: a beacon of innovation shadowed by policy favoritism that could short-circuit broader adoption. The Sh2.6 billion exemptions, while accelerating EV uptake, erode trust in Kenya’s green transition, fostering a perception of elite capture over equitable growth. For stakeholders, the path forward demands transparency—full disclosure of beneficial owners, competitive parity in incentives, and independent audits to affirm AML compliance. Absent these, ASM Kenya risks becoming a cautionary tale, where batteries charge ahead but reputations run flat. Ultimately, true sustainability isn’t just electric—it’s ethically charged. Kenya’s e-mobility dream endures, but only if we demand the current flows clean.

Written by

JoyBoy

Updated

1 month ago