Mercy Edna Manyasa

Edna is a transportation engineer committed to advancing sustainable mobility solutions. She holds a Master's degree in Transportation Engineering and is currently pursuing a PhD. She teaches transportation engineering at Egerton University, Kenya, where she integrates active and electric mobility into academic curricula, conducts research, and advocates for gender equality and inclusion in mobility projects. In addition, she is passionate about mentoring the next generation of transportation students to foster innovation and sustainability in the field. Edna also works as a sustainable mobility consultant with the UN-Habitat Urban Mobility Section. She envisions future transport systems to be safe, smart, sustainable, and inclusive.

Short interview
 

What project are you working on – and what goals do you want to achieve with it?

I am currently working on raising awareness of sustainable mobility among the general public and the younger generation. Before I came to the fellowship, I had already discussed with some colleagues how to better conduct awareness and education campaigns in a fun way. I want as many people as possible from different backgrounds to understand the various concepts of sustainable mobility and why we are advocating for clean transport. Whether it is through a comic book, a documentary or a film, I will be happy to have made a difference in transforming transport in Kenya.

What is the most important take-away you gained during the fellowship for your work?

The fellowship was incredible. I've gained so much, and although it's hard to choose, what stood out for me was seeing the steps Germany has taken to transform transport. I come from a country where the majority of people still walk to work, and I've always believed that cycling and public transport could be key to adressing our challenges. But I also come from a place where few people think about cycling or public transport; most are focused on how they are going to purchase a car. I leave the fellowship as an even stronger advocate for electrification, because I know that Kenyans will continue to buy cars, but I hope that by promoting electric vehicles we can at least leapfrog towards sustainable transport.

What was the most surprising insight for you? 

The most surprising insight for me was to see the strides Germany is making in electrifying the freight sector. Coming from Kenya, where road freight relies heavily on diesel, the idea of electric trucks seemed unimaginable, but Germany's progress showed what’s possible.