6 arrested over Uber taxi attacks

Six people have been arrested in connection to the burning of two Uber taxis in Nairobi.

This is according to Nairobi Police Boss Japheth Koome who says, the six will be arraigned in court on Tuesday to face charges of arson, malicious damage of property and attempted murder.

Koome has given a stern warning to anyone intending to attack Uber taxis saying that action will be taken against them.

The Uber taxi attack happened early last week in Riruta Satellite estate in Nairobi, but the driver escaped unhurt.

Uber Taxi Wars

There has been a rivalry between Uber taxis and regular taxi operators, who claim Uber Taxis are ruining their business.

Early February, two people were arrested for allegedly attacking a taxi operator in Nairobi. The Interior Ministry launched investigations into attacks targeting drivers affiliated to the Uber.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry “sent a strong word of caution to those behind the attacks saying it would ensure those behind the attacks face the full wrath of the law”.

The Ministry said business rivalry should not be settled through attacks by criminal gangs.

The Kenya Association of Taxi and Cabs had raised concerns over the entry of Uber taxis, which are offering cheaper fares less than conventional taxis, a discrepancy that has not sat well with traditional taxi operators.

The attacks have added Nairobi to the list of over 300 cities where Uber has ‘disrupted’ the taxi business with fares as low as 90 shillings a kilometer, almost less the price charged by ordinary taxis.