This archive report was first published on 15 July 2019.
Kenyan taxi drivers are set to embark on an indefinite strike starting July 15, 2019, in a bid to push for better pricing from dominant app companies. The drivers, who are represented by the Digital Taxi Forum, claim that US-based Uber and Estonian software firm Taxify have refused to negotiate in good faith regarding the various changes they have been making without proper consultations.
According to Mr. John Kimani, the president of the Digital Taxi Forum, the drivers have been patient enough awaiting implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in July 2018. However, nothing substantial has come out of the deal to date.
The MOU, which was signed at the Ministry of Transport, aimed at creating a workable solution to end the conflict between the digital taxi app companies and the drivers. Unfortunately, the digital taxi app firms never honoured the deal, giving excuses for not honouring the same.
Mr. Kimani stated, 'Our members feel short changed. They have been patient enough awaiting implementation of the MOU to no avail.'
The 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. This has led to all-time low fares that have reduced their earnings to an unsustainable level.
