Kenya’s digital taxi drivers strike over low fares in growing gig economy protest

Kenyan Digital Taxi Drivers Halt Services in Nationwide Strike Over Pay
Thousands of ride-hailing drivers for platforms like Uber and Bolt brought services to a standstill across major Kenyan cities this week, launching a nationwide strike to protest declining fares and rising operational costs. The work stoppage, which saw minimal to no available cars on the apps in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, highlighted the growing discontent within the country’s gig economy. Drivers’ associations called the strike after failed negotiations with the tech companies, demanding a fundamental review of their compensation structure.
The core of the dispute revolves around what drivers describe as unsustainable earnings. They cite a consistent reduction in fare rates per kilometer, coupled with the companies taking a disproportionately high commission on each ride, sometimes exceeding 25%. With the added pressures of soaring fuel prices, high vehicle financing costs, and mounting maintenance expenses, many drivers say they are operating at a loss. We are working long hours just to break even, let alone make a profit to support our families, explained one driver who participated in the Nairobi protest, a sentiment echoed widely among his colleagues.
The strike caused significant disruption for commuters who rely on the apps for daily transportation, leading to longer wait times and increased fares for the few drivers who remained active. In response, representatives from Uber and Bolt stated they are committed to engaging with driver representatives to find a solution. They pointed to existing features within their apps that allow drivers to see trip details before acceptance and recent fuel subsidy initiatives. However, driver unions have dismissed these measures as insufficient, insisting that a permanent and significant fare increase is the only acceptable outcome.
The outcome of this confrontation is being closely watched, as it could set a precedent for gig worker rights not only in Kenya but across East Africa. The Kenyan government has so far urged both parties to dialogue, but has stopped short of direct intervention. The stalemate underscores the volatile and often precarious nature of platform-based work in developing economies. As the strike continues, it raises a critical question about the future sustainability of a business model reliant on a workforce that feels it is no longer being paid a living wage.