Uber, Taxify drivers in Kenya reach deal for higher fares after week of strike

Kenya’s transport ministry and groups representing drivers working for taxi hailing firms in the East African country signed a deal on Wednesday that will give drivers higher pay and better working conditions, an official from the taxi drivers’ association said.

Kenya is Uber’s second-largest market in sub-Saharan Africa, after South Africa. It competes against its global rival Taxify, which has gained popularity in Nairobi in the past year and a half but does not disclose numbers of active riders and users.

Other companies operating ride hailing services in Kenya are Fone Taxi, Pewin Cabs and Little Cab.

‘We are now happy’

As in other markets, these services in Kenya initially faced opposition and sometimes hostility from other taxi drivers.

Drivers and representatives working for ride hailing companies and ministry of transport officials have been meeting most of this week, after the drivers

went on strike to protest low fares.

“All that we were looking for, we have been given. All the drivers are now happy. And everybody will now go to work,” David Muteru, chairman of Digital Taxi Association of Kenya, representing more than 2,000 ride hailing taxi drivers, said after the signing of the agreement.

Details of new deal

Under the new deal, the association will cushion drivers in the event of falling fares arising from discounts companies offer to passengers, provide security during trips in case of emergencies, while the taxis will have to inspected by the government transport and safety authority.

Previously, for instance, Uber charged an average 14 shillings per km, with 25 percent of this going to the company, and the rest going to the driver, Muteru said.

Under the new deal, the rate would go up to 33 shillings per km, with 25 percent going to Uber, he added.

A spokesperson for Uber did not give further details on their fares, but said in an emailed statement they welcomed the agreement.

In Uhuru Park in central Nairobi, hundreds of drivers working for Uber, Taxify, Mondo, and Little Cab sounded their horns and blew whistles to celebrate the deal.

Martin Simiyu, who has been working for a ride hailing taxi for two years, said a recent rise in fuel prices and lower fares for his services had made conditions tough.

“It makes it difficult for my life right now,” he told Reuters.

“We are coming to a place where we can not service these vehicles, we cannot take care of our family, we cannot pay the loans. It becomes hard for us. Why should I keep the vehicle on the road and maybe I’m not getting anything out of it?”