Ministry of Transport Strikes Deal With Digital Taxi Drivers to End Strikes

The Ministry of Transport on Tuesday agreed to sign an MoU with digital taxi drivers following a lengthy meeting to deliberate on issues that led to their strike. 

According to Transport Principal Secretary Paul Maringa, who chaired the meeting, the department settled to sign a MoU with the drivers that includes a pricing structure.

Speaking at his Transcom House office, Maringa mentioned: "We agreed that nobody can change the pricing unilaterally. The process should be consultative and cushion drivers."

[caption caption="Transport Principal Secretary Paul Maringa addressing transport stakeholders in a past event"][/caption]

The PS further noted that a rapid response system will be set up for rescue and security of drivers. 

"The MoU is ready for inking, which should be done by end of the week. We will have one final meeting before making the resolutions public," Maringa added. 

Reports indicate that the MoU will be signed at 2 pm on Wednesday.

The meeting, which was also attended by National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) officials, saw the stakeholders also agree to have quarterly consultative meetings chaired by the PS and the minutes cascaded to industry members. 

After the meeting, the PS also announced: "We had agreed all along that they return to work because the negotiations were on and that there should be no violence."

Also present at the forum were traffic police and the Nairobi County government which was represented by Transport boss Ahmed Gadane.

The drivers paralysed operations last week over claims of exploitative corporate practices.

They claimed the firms were charging low rates and imposing high commissions on them, leading to them working for long hours with little pay.

The Digital Taxi Association of Kenya represents more than 2,000 drivers. 

Kenya Digital Taxi Services Director David Muteru on Tuesday confirmed the meeting with the Department of Transport.

[caption caption="Police teargas at Uber drivers during their strike last week"][/caption]

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