Online Taxi firm Uber has launched its operations in Mombasa County.
The launch brings Uber’s growing global network to 399 cities, including Nairobi where it has been receiving threats from traditional cab drivers over its pricing model. The cab drivers claim Uber’s pricing model is threatening their businesses. They say Uber’s operations in the city is making them unable to compete and could render them jobless.
Earlier a Uber taxi was also was torched in Nairobi Waithaka area by suspected business rivals. This comes barely a month after another Uber taxi was set ablaze by a group of people suspected to be taxi drivers from Kilimani area in Nairobi. Early February, two people were also arrested for allegedly for allegedly attacking a Uber taxi driver. These incidences however are not deterring the taxi firm from expanding it operations in other parts of the country.
Uber says it wants to take advantage of Mombasa as a popular tourist destination attracting local and international visitors.
“We’re really excited to be launching Uber in Mombasa giving locals and visitors in Mombasa an affordable, easy and flexible choice to move around the city safely and reliably.” Nate Anderson, acting General Manager for Uber Kenya said.
Kagure Wamunyu, Operations Manager for Uber Kenya says Uber wants to help improve urban mobility in Mombasa by offering a friendly and reliable complement to existing transport options.
Uber is also said to be seeking police protection over these recent attacks on their drivers.
At the same time, Abuja also became the 400th city to Uber’s growing global network after the company launched in Nigeria.
