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Police probe Uber taxi drivers attacks over business rivalry

TAXI

A taxi parking in Nairobi: Uber has upset the market of regular cabs. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA

Police have launched investigations into attacks meted out on taxi drivers using online hailing service, Uber, after increased reports of intimidation emerged on Monday.

The Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government in a statement said that police were looking into reports of harassment, adding that those found culpable will face the full force of law.

Business rivalry between regular Nairobi taxi drivers and those using Uber turned ugly late last month with the latter reporting cases of physical confrontation.

The app launched in Kenya early last year has gained popularity among Nairobi residents.

Its relatively low prices have upset the market previously monopolised by the Kenya Taxi Cab Association, private company taxis like Jatco and Kenatco and privately-owned street cabs.

“In the last couple of days there have been incidents of criminal gangs attacking some taxi operators in certain parts of Nairobi. The police have launched investigations into the cause and nature of these attacks and will ensure that those behind the attacks will face the full wrath of the law,” read a statement released by the Interior ministry.

Mr Mwenda Njoka, the ministry’s spokesperson, in the statement urged drivers with complaints to seek legal redress instead of assaulting competitors.

“Business rivalry should never be settled through attacks and intimidation but rather through the established legal mechanisms of resolving disputes,” he said.

READ: Uber, regular taxis rivalry turns ugly as drivers fight

Regular taxis have resulted to bullying Uber drivers to drive them out of business, saying that they are eating into their market.

The aggressors have even formed social media groups and held meetings over the issue after which seemingly co-ordinated attacks against Uber drivers have been reported.

Uber said that it had tried to engage with taxi associations in Nairobi since last year to find a way of working together but the attempt was not fruitful.

Following the attacks on Uber drivers the tech firm alerted its partners to be careful during their operations.

“Recently, you may have heard of cases of isolated intimidation towards Uber driver-partners. These cases shock and sadden us, as these driver-partners are simply using the Uber platform to earn a living for themselves and their families,” said Uber in a statement posted its website on Monday.