Uber has announced plans to extend its presence to five more towns across the country.
The cab-hailing company is taking its operations to Eldoret, Naivasha, Elementaita, and Gilgil as it seeks to grow its revenue amid increased competition.
“We have soft-launched the cities and we will be going as the product becomes more developed. We see the potential in these cities and are confident that they will grow and become very reliable for us,” said Uber head of East Africa, Imran Manji.
The company said that fare charges in its new territories will be determined by the prevailing business demands of the area. However, rates are expected to be lower than those charged within Nairobi.
“Rates will depend on cities. Each city will be managed separately because the cost of living and affordability is different. Not all products available in Nairobi will be found in those cities. For example, you may find Uber X (premium option) in one city and not in another city. It will also depend on vehicles the drivers have,” Manji expounded.
The metropolis city of Kisumu is one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the country. The recent expansion of infrastructure by the government has set the city on a new path of upward trajectory.
Uber currently serves Nairobi, Thika, Mombasa and Nakuru where it started operations in 2021. In Nakuru, Uber jostles for a spot with other Bolt and local platforms such as Wasili Cabs, Bomba and Safiri.
Although the increased fuel prices have posed a challenge to the transport sector, cab-hailing firms have continued to innovate as they seek new ways to remain afloat.
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