Uber Ventures into the Kenyan Boda-boda Business through Launch of uberBODA

Uber has launched Boda-Boda rides in Partnership with motorcycle owners in Nairobi in a move to support local businesses while providing safe, reliable and convenient choices to their riders.

Dubbed “uberBODA”, riders can now request for boda-boda rides using the Uber app.

UberBODA driver-partners attend a screening process and an information session which includes education on the Uber app as well as road safety tips.

The Drivers will be provided with a reflective jacket as well as a helmet for both the passenger and driver.

Uber Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty said that the company seeks to continue to invest their technology in products like uberBODA.

He assured that uberBODA provides the same seamless door to door Uber experience passengers are used to with Uber, but on the back of a Boda-Boda.

“Passengers will still be able to see all their driver-partners details, such as their name, photo, and license plate number. Passengers can also see whether others have had a good experience with the uberBODA driver and they will be able to contact each other via the app if there is any confusion around pick-up details.”

Passengers and drivers also benefit from Injury Protection provided by UAP-Old Mutual to ensure they have more peace of mind when using uberBODA.

The base fare for uberBODA is 55 shillings with a minimum fare of 60 shillings and 14 shillings per kilometer.

Passengers can access uberBODA in all neighborhoods of Nairobi except the CBD following the ban on Boda-boda operations within the CBD by the County government of Nairobi.

The company’s launch of uberBODA in Nairobi follows a recent launch of uberBODA in Kampala, Uganda earlier in March of this year.

UberBODA is now competing with Uganda-based SafeBoda which launched in Kenya in August and Taxify which unveiled its Boda service in March 2018.