NAIROBI, Kenya– Digital taxi drivers have issued a seven-day ultimatum to ride-hailing companies including Uber, Bolt, Farasi, Yego, WEEGO, and Little Cab, citing unfair pricing practices and high commissions that they say are pushing them into financial distress.
Operating under the umbrella of the Amalgamation of Digital Taxi Transport Organisations–Kenya, the drivers said they are prepared to escalate into strikes, app switch-offs, and street demonstrations if their grievances are not addressed.
Their demands include a review of pricing structures, enforcement of commission caps, introduction of cancellation fees, and compensation for so-called “dead mileage” incurred when driving long distances to pick up customers.
“Despite drivers being the backbone of the industry, we are being subjected to exploitation, with no clear measures from the authorities to safeguard our welfare,” the drivers said in their statement.
“We are giving all concerned ride-hailing application companies seven (7) days starting from today to respond to these grievances and present a clear action plan to address them.”
The drivers accuse platforms of slashing fares in a bid to outdo competitors, despite rising fuel prices and higher living costs.
They argue that the move violates the Transport Network Companies Rules, 2022, which require fair pricing practices.
Another sticking point is the commission charged by the apps. While the law caps commissions at 18 percent, drivers claim most firms take up to 21 percent, eroding their already squeezed earnings.
The statement also criticised upfront pricing, which locks in fares without factoring in delays from traffic, diversions, or longer-than-expected routes.
Drivers argue that such a model benefits the companies while transferring additional costs to them.
Other complaints include lack of transparency in trip details, cancellation losses, and being compelled to accept lengthy terms and conditions mid-trip.
The group has called on the Ministry of Transport, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the Competition Authority of Kenya, and Parliament’s transport committees to intervene, including establishing a Wage Council for the digital transport sector.
Failure to resolve the dispute, they warned, will trigger industrial action that could disrupt urban transport services across Kenya.
