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 has seen both groups engaging in public fights and vandalising each other's vehicles.
According to reports, mainstream taxi drivers have been accusing digital cab operators of rendering them jobless with their low-cost charges. In response, digital cab drivers claim they have been subjected to hostility and violence from their counterparts.
Joel Oloo, a local resident, urged mainstream taxi drivers to change their strategy, stating that digital taxis are here to stay. He also cautioned against using violence, which he believed would only worsen the situation.
Felix Onyango, the chairman of the digital taxi drivers, revealed that they have been experiencing a tough time in the last two weeks. He attributed the hostility to the cheap prices offered by digital cab operators, which he claimed were driving mainstream taxi drivers out of the market.
County Commander Benson Maweu confirmed that the drivers were yet to lodge formal complaints with his office, but stated that they were already investigating some incidents.
As the situation continues to unfold, residents of Kisumu are left to navigate the chaos caused by the taxi wars.
