The war between the taxi operators within Nairobi and Uber is far from over as regular cab operators gave the government an ultimatum for Uber to close down their operations in Kenya and especially in Nairobi.
Through their association, United Kenya Taxi Organization, the operators have given the government seven days to stop Uber from operating in Kenya.
The operators said that they are planning to stage a major demonstration if after seven days, Uber will still be operating in the country.
The bad blood between Uber and other local taxi operators escalated last week with the local taxi drivers resolving to physically attack their counterparts from Uber.
Uber started its operations in Kenya a year ago and has attracted many customers as well as drivers due to their affordable prices.
This, the local taxi drivers say, has presented them with a stiff competition and that on many occasions they have had to go without passengers because they have all run to Uber.
In terms of charges, where a local taxi operator charges 700 shillings, Uber charges 300 shillings which is more than half the normal price.
Most passengers have defended Uber taxis for the fair prices and condemned the local taxis for fearing competition.
If the government will follow the local taxis demands and go ahead to halt the operations of Uber in the country, economic analysts warn that this may taint the image of Kenya globally.
Economists say that this will imply that Kenyans fear competition in the business world and that they are not ready to tolerate anyone who appears to want to compete them. It may also mean, according to economists that Kenyans are afraid of change.
When Uber first started its operations in Kenya, it only accepted card payments but since many Kenyans do not have cards and have not embraced the card payment system, the company resolve to cash payments and ever since, the company has increased its returns.
Article by Juma Fred.