Uber and Bolt drivers in Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi have resorted to public protests against the non-implementation of policies by e-hailing companies. The drivers are demanding that the government limit Uber and Bolt’s service fees to 18%.
According to a notice by The Kenyan Wall Street, demonstrations will be held between 8 am – 5 pm from Monday, July 15 to 19.
In what has been described by observers as a peaceful protest, the drivers are seen demanding better pay, specifically full enforcement of minimum fixed fare prices and the regulation of ride-hailing commissions.
This taxi app driver strike aims to shut down passenger rides and deliveries. By causing a major drop in the ride-hailing companies’ income, the drivers hope to pressure them into negotiations. This isn’t the first time drivers have used strikes to fight for better conditions. Similar nationwide strikes happened in 2019 and led to the enforcement of the 18% commission cap in 2022.
In 2022, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Kenya’s e-hailing regulatory body mandated that e-hailing companies receive a flat commission fee of 18%. These developments were met with initial disagreements but the bodies eventually agreed to comply.
Two years later, these developments have still yet to be enforced which has made drivers go out of their way to make their demands heard.
The drivers also demand that the minimum ride fare be fixed at 300 Kenyan shillings (Ksh), a requirement stipulated by law, like the 18% commission. They have also stated plans to boycott the ride-hailing apps and resort to offline trips and direct fare negotiations if their demands are not met.
In response to a query on the matter, Bolt General Manager, Rides, Linda Ndungu said in a statement shared with Textnext that the company is aware of the driver’s strike and respects their right to peaceful demonstrations and that Bolt has complied with all the requirements set by the NTSA.
“Bolt upholds local legislation and is compliant with the licensing requirements set by the industry regulator, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). We continue to work in partnership with local authorities and other key stakeholders to ensure that the ride-hailing, micro-mobility, and food delivery industry in Kenya, grows to its full potential, sustainably,” she said in the statement.
Nairobi’s ride-hailing strike could rewrite the road rules for drivers in the sector. As drivers protest for fairer pay per mile, they might eventually force companies to the negotiating table, shaping a better future for their industry.
