Uber drivers are set to go on strike today following a decision by the US-based taxi hailing firm to decrease fare prices by 35 per cent.
Emmanuel Kasina, chairman of the Kenyan Taxi Digital Association, said they have notified police of the demonstration slated for 10am to 1pm. The association was formed last Friday by drivers of Uber and rival Little Cabs, co-owned by Safaricom and Craft Silicon.
Drivers who attended the meeting turned their phones off causing a three-hour surge in prices.
The Uber mobile phone application currently indicates that all drivers are booked. They will be offline during the demonstrations.
One of the drivers shared a message he received from the management.
“UBER: Hello xxx. As you may have noticed, there has been a surge all weekend due to increase in demand. If a trip was originally 300KES and is now 200KES with the price reduction, and this trip is now a surge trip of 1.5X, the rider would pay 300KES due to surge, and if a trip is 1.7X the rider would pay 400KES.”
The drivers feel aggrieved that they were not consulted before the price cut was announced arguing the move would negatively impact their income. This is despite assurance from Uber of an insurance package if they fail to secure passengers.
