Kenya: striking e-taxi drivers demand better pay
Kenya
,
15 Sep 2017
Kenya: striking e-taxi drivers demand better pay
Some partner drivers from Uber, Taxify, LittleCab and Mondo Ride have declared a strike over pay, affecting operations and businesses in Nairobi.
Protesting drivers say that they have tried to address the matter with the management of the various e-hailing taxi companies, but have received no response.
The low earnings are understood to be related to an ongoing price war dominating the market.
Taxify's inroads into Nairobi and Mombasa, where Uber has been operating, has led to a promotion-based price competition between the two hailing apps.
LittleCabs also followed suit and slashed their fare prices from Kshs 30 to Kshs 20 per kilometer starting this September.
Lorreen Ajiambo, Taxify's Marketing Manager in Kenya, said that they have met with their striking partner drivers and addressed their concerns.
"In light of recent driver protests, Taxify team arranged a meeting with a select number of drivers and partners on the Taxify platform to discuss the specific issues that were affecting drivers in the business. We listened to their concerns and together we worked out solutions to the issues they raised," Ajiambo told ITWeb Africa.
Ajiambo did not provide specific details on these solutions or whether or not the ongoing price wars were affecting the earnings of their drivers.
Uber takes a 25% fee off every ride, while Taxify and LittleCab take 15%.
Ajiambo said her firm has an open door policy, adding, "We encourage all driver partners on the Taxify platform to continue to give us feedback and share any concerns they might have. We thank every rider and driver who has continued to support us through this week and ensure every stakeholder that we continue to deliver on the promise of a safe, secure ride in minutes."
Business Daily reported that Uber sent letters to their partner drivers warning that they would be de-registered if they continued with their strike.
Drivers affiliated to Digital Taxi Association of Kenya (DTAK) said they would push for a uniform pricing and commission rate across all e-taxi providers.