The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has granted licenses to 9 more online taxi operators in Kenya, bringing the number to 14.
The latest entrants into the fast-growing industry include: An Nisa Taxi, Hava Net, H Cab, PTG, TMNK, Amicable Travel Service, Maramoja, Move On Telecoms, and J-Ride.
NTSA said in a statement on Sunday that the firms were licensed in accordance with regulations gazetted in June 2022 that require each cab-hailing company to pay an annual fee of Sh100,000. The regulations also limited the commissions paid by drivers to a maximum of 18% for each trip.
For a long time, the online taxi industry in Kenya operated without a proper regulatory framework, leading to perennial complaints from drivers who decried heavy commissions and oppressive working conditions.
“A transport network company shall configure its transport network platform to ensure that after eight hours of continuous service in a twenty-four-hour period, the driver shall log out of the platform for at least four consecutive hours,” the regulations read in part.
The regulations are far-reaching and aim to bring a balance between all players.
Digital taxi companies are compelled by law to expel from their systems a driver accused of sexual misconduct, drink-driving, physical assault, verbal abuse, or related misdemeanor.
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