NAIROBI, Kenya- Fed up with shrinking paychecks and rising operational costs, drivers from Kenyan ride-hailing apps have taken to the streets in protest.
The riders are calling on platform operators to boost ride charges and give drivers a fair shake as inflation, fuel prices, and other costs make it increasingly hard to stay in business.
Behind the wheel, drivers are feeling the pinch. While ride-hailing platforms have raised fares slightly in recent months, drivers argue it’s not enough to offset the skyrocketing cost of living.
For instance, the price of a liter of super petrol has surged to around KSh 180—a hefty rise attributed to global supply chain disruptions.
These costs, combined with the unpredictable nature of driving long distances or handling difficult routes, have drivers asking for a more comprehensive pricing formula.
Simon Wanjohi, a 29 year old driver operating in Nairobi, lamented during an interview with Y News: “The cost of fuel has gone up and so has the general cost of living in our country.”
Both Bolt and Uber have made modest moves to cushion their drivers. Bolt, for example, recently hiked fares by 10pc across all categories. While this means that a typical KSh 200 trip will now cost KSh 220, drivers argue the increase is too small to make a real difference.
“We care about our passengers but our earnings cannot be able to sustain us that is why we are asking for fairness,” Simon added.
This 10pc boost followed several discussions between drivers and Bolt, but it’s clear that many drivers are still dissatisfied. While the company touted the hike as a win, drivers on the ground feel it’s more of a band-aid on a larger wound.
For those working long hours to make ends meet, the rising fuel costs and operational expenses continue to outweigh their earnings.
Uber has also responded with fare increases in an attempt to protect its drivers, but similar complaints persist across both platforms.
As ride-hailing operators face increasing pressure from drivers, the question remains: how far will they go to keep their fleets happy?
Strikes and protests have ramped up the urgency for Uber, Bolt, and others to rethink their business models, especially in light of the fluctuating economy.
As the drivers await a more substantial solution, passengers may start feeling the impact in the form of longer wait times or higher prices for their rides.
