This archive report was first published on 15 July 2019.
Kenya's taxi drivers are set to embark on an indefinite strike from July 15, 2019, in a bid to push for better pricing by dominant app companies, which they claim have ignored the terms of a deal signed in July 2018.
According to the Digital Taxi Forum, the drivers' representatives, US-based Uber and Estonian software firm Taxify have refused to negotiate in good faith regarding the changes they have been making without proper consultations.
Mr John Kimani, the president of the Digital Taxi Forum, stated that the drivers will remain on strike until an agreement that is acceptable to all parties and stakeholders is reached.
"We have no other recourse than to begin our indefinite strike from July 15. We will be picketing and holding peaceful demonstrations daily until our concerns are addressed," Mr Kimani said.
The taxi drivers are aggrieved that the dominant companies have been engaging in price wars, much to their detriment and third-party vehicle owners who are never consulted on changes.
The drivers claim that this has led to all-time low fares that have reduced their earnings to an unsustainable level.
Despite a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in July 2018 at the Ministry of Transport, nothing substantial has come out of the deal to date.
Mr Kimani accused the digital taxi app firms of never honouring the deal, giving excuses for not honouring the same.
"Our members feel short changed. They have been patient enough awaiting implementation of the MOU to no avail," Mr Kimani said.
