Kenyan Taxi Drivers Declare War On Uber And Any Partner Cab Operators

Piece by: Uncle Chim Tuna
Lifestyle

I have a cab guy called peter. peter is an honest man. Not punctual, but honest. I met him around Ambassador hotel one Sunday morning (3am?) as I was trying to head home. I was drunk out of my mind, 25yrs old and yet, still scared of taking matatus at that hour of the night.

I forgot my two phones in his car. He called my mummy and told her I'd left my phones in his cab and would she be so kind as to contact me so I can pick them up. I have used him ever since. When I once got too inebriated to drive not too long ago, I called him and he came and drove me home in my car and asked a friend to follow him so he could get back to his own car.

Keep in mind that the defining trait of our relationship is honesty.

I say this because not all cab drivers are known to be honest men.

Does that have any bearing on this story? No. But it is an interesting tale I remembered while working on this.

Kenyan taxi drivers have launched their own version of the ongoing global revolt against taxi hailing service Uber, arguing that its pricing model is driving them out of business.

The taxi drivers last Thursday warned of an impending attack on Uber partners, prompting the US tech firm that owns the service to alert its Kenyan associates to move with care.

And according to reports from Uber, the main cause for concern would be at the Oval.

“Please be alert and aware in this area by concealing your Uber device and ensuring that your pick-ups and drop-offs take place in public, well lit areas,” said Samantha Allenberg, spokesperson for Uber Africa.