Hi, what are you looking for?
African Startup League competition seeks to empower young Africans with USD1mn prize
Twitter founder Jack Dorsey in Kenya, invests Sh245mn
Microsoft introduces its global digital skills program in Kenya
Innovation week opens in Kenya to boost startups
Ghanaian tech firm mPharma pay Sh30.2mn in taxes to Kenya
Digital Transformation Awards to be held in November
Meta to launch ‘metaverse academy’ in France
PE firm Ascent Capital buys majority in Valley Hospital in Nakuru
Mastercard, OPay announce strategic partnership to grow cashless ecosystem
Does the 12pc minimum wage have a discernible effect on employment?
Govt urged to focus on enhancing productivity, commercialization in agriculture
Win for firms as Court of Appeal stops minimum tax implementation
President Ruto launches over 5,000 housing units in Machakos
Nakuru’s Cleanshelf Supermarket accused of selling expired sausages, beef
Sh48.5mn Hustlers Fund repaid by Kenyans, CS Chelugui says
Going Full-Time: Julia Gaitho’s Move from Employment to Full-Time Content Creator
Digital Marketing and The Transformative Power of The Internet
IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop sits down with Sauti Sol
Seasoned Content Creators Jacky Vike And Jaymo Ule Msee Offer Great Advice To Newbies
Creativity in Marketing: What it Takes to Create Powerful Campaigns
Going Full-Time: Julia Gaitho’s Move from Employment to Full-Time Content Creator
Digital Marketing and The Transformative Power of The Internet
Capital FM’s Digital Director David Muba and EABL’s Head of Media Futures Waithera Kabiru Discuss their Digital Careers
The Importance of the Role of Marketing in an Organisation as told by Graham Villiers-Tuthill
Growth, Love and Education in the Life of Funke Michaels
Capital FM commemorates anniversary of Chris Kirubi’s death
Finding Opportunity in the midst of the pandemic: AskKirubi
COVID-19: Lessons Learned and Future Direction for Entrepreneurs
Kirubi set to acquire half of Centum Plc following nod by CMA
Kirubi warns investors against fake cryptocurrency platform using his name
By
Published
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 18- Kenyan digital taxi drivers are threatening to switch off taxi apps citing the failure by the Government to gazette the Digital Hailing Service regulations (TNC Rules 2022) which had been passed by the Senate labor committee chaired by Senator Johnson Sakaja.
The drivers under the Digital Taxi Forum (DTF) on Friday issued a seven-day ultimatum within which they would boycott and switch off Uber, Bolt, Little cab, and any other apps operating in Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri, and any other town or city.
The regulations which had been proposed by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) would among others, prohibit digital hailing service operators from charging a commission of more than 15 percent.
Currently, most ride-hailing firms are charging a commission of at least 20 percent with Uber taking the highest cut at 25 percent.
Speaking at a press conference, Secretary-General (SG) of DTF Wycliffe Alutalala stated that the failure by the Transport Cabinet Secretary, James Macharia to gazette the Digital Taxi Regulations had led to serious suffering of drivers and car owners who have for long decried unfair regimes by the international ride-hailing firms.
“It is unfortunate that one year down the line, CS Macharia has either refused, neglected, declined, or ignored to gazette the Regulations for reasons best known to himself,” lamented SG Alutalala.
If passed, the law would also require international digital taxi firms to set up a subsidiary in Kenya and pay an application fee of Sh500,000 and an annual renewal fee of Sh300,000.
Digital hailing service operators are prohibited from levying or charging other charges, levies, or fees over and above the commission.
If passed, the law will provide an option for the ride-hailing firms to report to NTSA a name, driver’s license number and vehicle registration number of a rogue driver deactivated from the platform due to misconduct that posed threat to public safety.
“Any person who contravenes any provision of these regulations commits an offense and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Sh20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both,” the proposals read in part.
Uber and Bolt, through a letter to the Ministry of Transport dated 29 November 2021 had objected the capping of commissions at 16 percent noting that it was “discriminatory and disincentivizing to investment in the industry.”
“While the proposed regulations are largely progressive, certain components are discriminatory, specifically the proposed 15 percent cap on commissions, Setting a precedent of such prohibitive regulations could lead to a broader impact on the industry. The proposed regulatory pricing control will only serve to limit innovation and competitiveness in the ride-hailing industry,” the firms said.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 12 – The country’s super wealthy individuals are increasing their holding of bonds, gold and cash, a new report by Knight…
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 9 – Businessman and industrialist Dr. Chris Kirubi has urged members of the public to exercise extreme caution when making any…
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 24 – Businessman and industrialist Dr. Chris Kirubi is set to own half of Centum Investment Company PLC, following a go-ahead…
It is without a doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the whole world by surprise. Although its full impact is yet to be…
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 18 – Commercial Banks have been ordered to provide relief to borrowers on their personal loans, with loans eligible from March…
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun17 – Kenya’s tea leaves manufacturer Kericho Gold, has been awarded the Superbrands Seal by Superbrands East Africa for their quality variety…
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 13 – As the local telecommunications industry gears up to roll out 5G networks in the country, the Communications Authority of…
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 22 – Airtel Kenya is offering free internet access for students in order to enable continued learning at home in the…
© 2022 Capital Digital Media. Capital Group Limited. All Rights Reserved