Uber drivers to protest in Nairobi

Protest by Uber drivers follows company's slashing of prices.

Nairobi's 1,000 drivers working for taxi hailing mobile app Uber are holding a protest in the city's Central Business District (CBD) on 2 August, over the Californian company's recent decision to reduce its prices in Nairobi by 35 per cent.

The Nairobi branch of the San Francisco-based company said its decision to cut prices is aimed at growing its business locally. Uber said it would shield its drivers from losses by establishing a minimum payment guarantee, however the drivers believe they will be left with a much-reduced income once the company takes its usual 20 per cent share of each trip.

Uber's dominance of the local taxi hailing market is being threatened by new companies, in particular Little Cabs which was launched recently by Safaricom, Kenya's leading communications firm. Little Cabs currently offers lower cab fares than Uber as well as providing customers with free wi-fi.

Uber faces regular protests from taxi companies around the world over claims that its service is unfair, illegal, and taking business from regular cabbies.

In March six cab drivers were arrested in Nairobi for a spate of arson attacks on Uber vehicles.