Taxi drivers working for Kenya's major ride-sharing app-based companies Uber, Taxify, Little Ride and Mondo have gone on strike in Nairobi.
A section of the drivers convened at Nairobi's Uhuru Park where they expressed their displeasure with what they termed as low pay from the companies.
According to the Chairman of Digital Taxi Forum David Muteru, their commisions have been squeezed due to the low rates charged by the service providers.
[caption caption="Digital Taxi Forum drivers protest"]
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"Currently we are working for Ksh20 to Ksh27 per kilometer, a fee far less than the Ksh60 that was the initial introduction price," the chairman lamented.
The taxi providers later proceeded from Uhuru Park to Transport House, where they were to submit their petition to Transport Ministry officials.
The agitated cab operators grieved that the service providers have kept reducing the fare prices because of the competition with other apps.
"In the long run, it is us, the partners and drivers, who are losing. We are being oppressed," one of the drivers is quoted stating.
The striking drivers have threatened to go on a two-week strike that will also see them switch off their taxi-apps in a bid to deliver their grievances to the service providers.
A fierce price war among the service providers was sparked in 2017 when Uber slashed its fare to Ksh35 per kilometer, after Little lowered its prices.
[caption caption="Digital Taxi Forum protest banner"]
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The introduction of ride-sharing apps disrupted the taxi industry with the entrance of Uber in Kenya sparking riots that saw six men charged with malicious damage to property and attempted murder in March 2016.
