Photo Credit:Reuters/Monicah Mwangi
In Nairobi, Kenya, a fierce battle is unfolding between ride-hailing drivers and companies like Uber, Bolt, and local competitors such as Little and Faras. Struggling with unsustainable fares imposed by these platforms, drivers have begun taking matters into their own hands, setting higher rates independently to cope with the rising cost of living.
The situation stems from a price war among these ride-hailing companies, which has driven fares to levels that many drivers say are unworkable. For drivers like Judith Chepkwony, who have loans to pay off and are facing increased costs for essentials such as fuel and vehicle maintenance, the app-generated fares simply aren’t enough to make ends meet.
As a result, drivers have started using various methods to impose their own pricing. Many drivers now ask passengers to pay rates that are 1.5 times higher than those shown on the apps, particularly for trips longer than 3 kilometers. In some cases, they set fixed rates for popular routes, such as between airports and city centers, that can be up to $38.76 (KSh 5,000), significantly higher than the app prices.
This practice has put drivers in direct conflict with the ride-hailing companies. Uber, for instance, has warned that drivers found violating the fare rules could face disciplinary actions, including the suspension of their accounts. However, the drivers remain defiant, arguing that the app-set fares are simply too low to be sustainable, especially given the current economic conditions in Kenya, marked by high inflation and a spate of tax increases.
The companies are under pressure to find a balance between keeping fares affordable for customers and ensuring that drivers can earn a living wage. Discussions between drivers, ride-hailing companies, and government bodies like the Ministry of Transport are ongoing, but previous negotiations have often ended without a resolution, leaving strikes and fare disputes as a recurring issue.
For now, customers in Nairobi find themselves caught in the middle, often forced to negotiate fares directly with drivers—a process that can be time-consuming and frustrating, defeating the purpose of using a ride-hailing service in the first place.
As a result, drivers have started using various methods to impose their own pricing. Many drivers now ask passengers to pay rates that are 1.5 times higher than those shown on the apps, particularly for trips longer than 3 kilometers. In some cases, they set fixed rates for popular routes, such as between airports and city centers, that can be up to $38.76 (KSh 5,000), significantly higher than the app prices.
This practice has put drivers in direct conflict with the ride-hailing companies. Uber, for instance, has warned that drivers found violating the fare rules could face disciplinary actions, including the suspension of their accounts. However, the drivers remain defiant, arguing that the app-set fares are simply too low to be sustainable, especially given the current economic conditions in Kenya, marked by high inflation and a spate of tax increases.
The companies are under pressure to find a balance between keeping fares affordable for customers and ensuring that drivers can earn a living wage. Discussions between drivers, ride-hailing companies, and government bodies like the Ministry of Transport are ongoing, but previous negotiations have often ended without a resolution, leaving strikes and fare disputes as a recurring issue.
For now, customers in Nairobi find themselves caught in the middle, often forced to negotiate fares directly with drivers—a process that can be time-consuming and frustrating, defeating the purpose of using a ride-hailing service in the first place.
