Nairobi taxi drivers have given the government seven days to suspend Uber operations or face a mammoth demonstration that will bring Nairobi to a standstill.

The Kenya United Taxi Organisation says the low fares offered by the international taxi hailing company has impacted on local taxi trade, and that Uber cabs do not pay county council fees.

Organisation spokesperson Mwangi Mubia confirmed the planned demonstrations. "When Uber came to Kenya it never consulted the relevant stakeholders," he said in a press briefing with Nairobi taxi drivers. "Therefore we do not need to hold any negotiations with Uber, we need the government to intervene."

"We are not ready to leave the transport industry to a foreigner and render us jobless yet we are in a democratic republic," Mubia added.

Over the past week there have been several cases of intimidation and attacks against Uber drivers in Nairobi.

Uber has issued a statement saying that they are in partnership talks with metered taxi associations and private drivers. However, it is understood that since the service only accepts new vehicles, the selection system will exclude many taxi drivers who have old cars.

Samantha Allenberg, Communications Representative for Africa at Uber, said recently that many metered taxis are actually using the company's technology to boost their incomes and that they welcome more taxis. "We do not feel that it should be about Uber or Taxi, but rather Uber and Taxi," she said.