Global ride-hailing company, Uber, has announced the planned introduction of new features on its app for drivers in Kenya. This includes being able to choose routes in which they want to operate.

According to media reports, the drivers will be able to use the Nairobi Expressway and toll charges will be passed on to passengers. The new features will be very convenient for drivers who want to work close to home or their other jobs. They will also reduce the travelling time, ensuring that passengers get to their destinations much quicker.

“The idea is when you switch on the app and say you want to go to let’s say from Riverside to JKIA, the app recognises that you could use the Expressway and gives you the option to use tolls,” Uber head of East Africa Imran Manji said.

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The drivers will install an electronic toll collection (ETC) app which will allow for faster payments.

Reports say that motorists are paying between $1.04 and $15.55 to use the toll road being operated by Moja Expressway, a subsidiary of China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

The features will reportedly be available to drivers in a month.

“We will try and match them (drivers) with a ride going on route or vicinity of where they want to go,” Manji said.

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“This is such an amazing feature for somebody working in the office and they drive an Uber for one or two hours to supplement their income. I think it is going to be a hugely popular feature once we get it done,” he said.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Global ride-hailing platform, Uber, has asked a High Court in Kenya to refer to arbitration a dispute in which some drivers sued the ride-hailing platform over the reduction of fares by almost half. The Kenyan drivers sued the ride-hailing company in 2016 after it dropped ride charges on the platform because of mounting competition from local competitors.

Uber and Uber B.V claim that they signed an agreement with the drivers that urges them to refer any disputes to arbitration.

The drivers’ initial complaint was that decreasing the charges by nearly half were a violation of their rights and that the new rates were below the market rates. The drivers claimed that the move was killing their business.

“I am advised by the 2nd defendant’s (Uber B.V) Advocate on record, which advice I verily believe to be true, that there are no justifiable reasons to warrant a departure from the terms of the agreements,” Kasigo Khaole, the head of central operations of Uber South Africa Technology Proprietary Ltd said in an affidavit.

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Khaole said all parties entered into the agreements freely, with full knowledge of the terms, particularly the dispute resolution clause, Business Daily reported.

Khaole, according to Business Daily, denies Kenya Uber drivers’ claims and says that it would be a waste of time to take the matter to court when there’s an option to resort to arbitration. 

“It is just and equitable to stay these proceedings and have the matter referred to arbitration,” Khaole said. Kanuri  Ltd, which is in the public transport business with a fleet of 17 vehicles and 33 other drivers sued Uber, saying it drastically cut the fare rates by 35 percent and the minimum fare to Sh200 ($1.72) without consulting them, Business Daily reported. They also argued that Uber’s commission remained the same.

According to documents filed in court, the initial agreement with Uber was for customers to be charged Sh60 ($0.52) per kilometre with a minimum fare of Sh300 ($2.59).

The ride-hailing company says that they reserve the right to change the pricing and rates as per the agreement.

According to Business Daily, the High Court dismissed an application by Uber Kenya, seeking the removal of its name from the case, saying they were not party to the contract. Uber Kenya also maintained that it is distinct and separate from Uber B.V.

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Justice Francis Tuiyott noted that there was no contract between Uber Kenya and the drivers. There was, however, correspondence that was filed in court, between Uber Kenya and the drivers.

The judge said that the emails were made on behalf of Uber B.V with respect to online contracts, which was the subject of the case. Uber B.V is a Dutch company that supposedly owns the technology behind the Uber app.

“It is, therefore, not a trifle for when the plaintiffs (drivers) allege that there is a connection between Uber Kenya and Uber B.V.,” the judge said.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry