Six taxi drivers arraigned over arson attack on Uber taxi

Six taxi drivers arraigned over arson attack on Uber taxi

The six taxi drivers arrested in connection with an arson attack on a taxi operating under the Uber taxi Company last week were on Tuesday remanded for three days at the Kilimani Police Station pending a police identification parade at the Kabete Police Station.

The six appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi where they were charged with malicious damage of property and attempted murder over the attack at Riruta Satellite estate in Nairobi, where the driver escaped unhurt.

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 sent to newsrooms last week, 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 Sh90 per kilometre.

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