This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
Kenya's digital taxi operators have returned to the roads, barely two weeks after issuing a fresh strike notice, as they continue to negotiate with taxi firms over better compensation.
The operators, under the Digital Taxi Forum (DTF), resumed duty after reaching a consensus with some taxi firms last week.
DTF President John Kimani attributed the decision to low returns for both drivers and firms, which have catalyzed fresh negotiations to the impasse.
"We are an informal sector according to our nature of business. Unlike waged employees who receive salaries at the end of the month even during strikes, the go-slow was hurting us somehow," Mr. Kimani told Citizen Digital.
While some app companies, including Little and Bolt, have rejoined the negotiation table, Uber remains absent, citing unavailability of key officials.
Bolt has since dropped its Go option, eliminating the lowly priced category in a bid to prop up returns for its affiliated cab-drivers.
The Interior Ministry, which now oversees the National Transport and Safety Association (NTSA), is expected to spearhead talks between the parties to reach an amicable settlement.
DTF is seeking to form a legally binding alliance to address pricing concerns, following the failure of a 2018 agreement.
The digital-taxi drivers aim to raise the average charge on consumers per kilometer to at least Ksh.38 from the current Ksh.16, factoring in associated costs.
The Automobile Association of Kenya (AAK) is expected to create a roadmap for a new pricing regime in the industry.
