BasiGo, a pioneer in East Africa’s electric transport sector, has announced a major executive promotion aimed at accelerating its ambitious growth plans. The company has elevated Marian Muthui to the role of Senior Director, Operations, for BasiGo Kenya, with a concurrent appointment to the company’s Executive Leadership Team.
Muthui, who joined BasiGo in 2023 from U.S. electric vehicle leader Rivian, has been instrumental in establishing the foundation for the company’s local production. She spearheaded the creation of Kenya’s first dedicated electric bus assembly line, a cornerstone of BasiGo’s localized manufacturing strategy.
In her expanded role, Muthui will now oversee the company’s entire end-to-end operational value chain. Her responsibilities will encompass Manufacturing and Quality, Fleet Operations, and After-Sales Service for BasiGo’s innovative Pay-As-You-Drive electric bus platform.
“BasiGo is proud to add an operational leader of Marian’s caliber, experience, and expertise to our executive team,” a company spokesperson stated. “Building deep operational expertise from within positions us to execute at the level our mission demands, as we work toward our goal of delivering 1,000 electric buses in the next three years.”
Muthui’s career reflects a unique fusion of global advanced manufacturing experience and a deep understanding of African markets. Prior to her tenure at Rivian, where she led complex program management and digital transformation initiatives, she built a foundation in user-centered design at institutions like the MIT Media Lab. Her earlier work as a field service engineer in the African healthcare sector honed her skills in operational rigor and service excellence in challenging environments.
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Industry observers note that Muthui’s promotion signals a critical phase in BasiGo’s scaling strategy. By consolidating its core operational functions under a single, experienced leader, the company is strengthening its execution framework to meet aggressive production and deployment targets.
“Marian Muthui represents a new generation of African industrial leaders—globally experienced, deeply technical, and purpose-driven,” the company’s announcement highlighted, emphasizing her role in building systems that combine innovation, reliability, and long-term value for the sustainable mobility sector.
BasiGo’s move underscores the growing importance of localized operational leadership in Africa’s clean technology transition, as companies move from pilot projects to mass-market scale.
