Taxi drivers threaten mass action against Uber drivers

The Kenya United Taxi Organisation has given a seven-day ultimatum to the government to solve the standoff between them and Uber failure to which they will carry out massive demonstrations in which they will block roads in Nairobi.

According to the organisation’s spokes person Ashford Mwangi, at the end of the seven-days, the taxi drivers will simply park their cars and stop working while peacefully demonstrating on the streets of Nairobi in a bid to kick out the competing organisation.

“No investor jumps onto an ongoing business without consulting stakeholders involved like Uber has done. No investor should drive away locals like Uber is trying to do and no investor should stimulate a strategy that will bring monopoly in order to retain business after they drive everyone else away,” said Mwangi.

The organisation denied allegations that their members attacked any Uber vehicles but claimed that Uber drivers destroyed one of their own taxis.

“No investor should destroy property in order to seek sympathy from society, the way Uber drivers have done,” said Mwangi.

According to the organisation, the taxi drivers plan to extend their services to East Africa, a move that will see them embrace the online platform.

“We are not against technology but are we are afraid of the manner in which Uber is operating,” said the chairperson of the organization Stephen  Raima.

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

Police say a gang smashed the rear window of an Uber taxi in Nairobi’s Kileleshwa area in an incident similar to several others reported in recent weeks.

Taxi users in Nairobi are caught up in what is turning out to be a vicious and violent war between established cab operators and Uber.

Uber cabs offer commuters relatively cheap fares and convenience compared to the conventional taxi operators, who are now accusing Uber of undercutting them.