Uber Kenya drivers to strike over 35% price cut

Posters used during the Uber Kenya Demostration on the price cuts

Uber Kenya which started operating in Nairobi in February 2015, held a press conference last week to inform the public of their 35% price cut. According to the ride-hailing app drivers the price cut would affect them tremendously hence are holding a strike later today between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Emmanuel Kasina, chairman of the Kenyan Taxi Digital Association, said that the drivers weren’t consulted on the fare reduction and based on that the company should revert to the old prices.

During the press conference at Kempinski Hotel, Nate Anderson, Uber’s General Manager in Kenya said, “We have held multiple focus groups and one-on-one feedback sessions over the past six weeks. Three days before the price cut we saw over 1,000 drivers and partners to go through the plan and explain how the minimum guarantees ensure they don’t lose out.”

The Kenyan Taxi Digital Association was formed on Friday last week by drivers of Uber and rival Little Cabs, co-owned by Safaricom and Craft Silicon and later held their first meeting on Monday at Karura Forest whereby the drivers also wanted Uber to reduce commissions from the current 25 percent.

Mr. Kasina informed the drivers that they had filed for an injunction in court over the new rates.

Drivers and partners took to the Kenya Taxi Digital Association group page today amd have been reacting differently to the price cuts.

Uber commented saying, “Uber encourages and respects the right of driver-partners to voice issues or concerns that affect their business. However, Uber has a zero tolerance policy regarding violence, threats of violence, harassment or intimidation. Any fleet-partner or driver-partner participating in such conduct will have both their driver profile and vehicle permanently deactivated from the Uber platform. In addition, any such fleet-partner, driver-partner or any non-driver third party participating may be reported to police. Please report any acts of violence, threats of danger or violence, and/or harassment or intimidation to the police and to Uber to partners.nairobi@uber.com.”

Peter also stated, “We want uber to listen to us and treat us as equal partners.”