This archive report was first published on 7 November 2019.
Published on November 7, 2019, a tense standoff between mainstream taxi drivers and digital cab operators in Kisumu has taken a violent turn. The conflict began when digital taxi companies like Bolt, Little Cab, Safiri, and Dango entered the market, offering low-cost rides to residents.
Local residents initially welcomed the digital cabs, citing that mainstream taxi operators had been exploiting them. However, the entry of these digital taxi companies has unsettled the traditional taxi operators, who claim they are being driven out of business due to the low prices offered by the digital cabs.
Joel Oloo, a resident, urged the mainstream taxi drivers to change their strategy, stating, "They must change strategy because the digitised taxis are here to stay." He also cautioned against using violence, saying it would only worsen the situation.
According to Felix Onyango, the chairman of the digital taxi drivers, his group has faced hostility from mainstream taxi drivers, particularly at Kondele. He claimed that some of their vehicles have had their tyres deflated, and drivers have been victims of violence.
County Commander Benson Maweu confirmed that the drivers have not lodged formal complaints, but an investigation into some incidents is already underway.
