Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has taken a proactive step towards addressing the persistent challenges faced by ride-hailing drivers by convening a consultative meeting that brings together leaders of ride-hailing companies, drivers, and government representatives.

This comes after drivers from various ride-hailing companies in the country detailing their daily challenges.

"After listening to the drivers and having previously listened to challenges faced by the digital taxi companies, I have resolved to convene a consultative forum in September bringing together the drivers, the companies, NTSA and other Government agencies with a view of finding lasting solutions to the existing challenges," Murkoment said.

The meeting, scheduled for September 2023, aims to collectively tackle the issues that have long plagued the sector.

The participants in the upcoming meeting are expected to collaboratively adopt a comprehensive strategy to address the existing challenges within the ride-hailing sector.

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These challenges not only affect the livelihoods of drivers but also have a significant impact on the government's revenue, contributing millions of shillings.

"We are keen on resolving the existing challenges in the sector and I believe the consultative meeting will generate solid resolutions that will improve the sector," Murkomen said, emphasizing the government's commitment to finding effective solutions to the issues at hand.

One of the primary concerns highlighted by ride-hailing drivers is the substantial commissions imposed by their respective companies.

These commissions, which sometimes surpass 18 per cent of their overall earnings, have been a point of contention for quite some time.

In May 2023, Murkomen reassured drivers that the government would address this concern and stressed that drivers should not be subjected to such high commissions that hinder their earnings.

"The government's mandate is to create an enabling environment for the sector to thrive," Murkomen reiterated, underscoring the government's responsibility to ensure that ride-hailing drivers can operate in a fair and sustainable ecosystem.

Historically, ride-hailing drivers have organized nationwide strikes intermittently to draw attention to their concerns about the perceived lack of responsiveness from the government, particularly the Ministry of Transport, in resolving their issues.

However, Murkomen, who has been at the forefront of driving reforms within the sector, has pledged to definitively tackle all the ongoing challenges.

"We are looking ahead and the government is intentional on this matter," Murkomen affirmed, signaling a renewed commitment to addressing the issues faced by ride-hailing drivers.

The Transport CS reiterated his ministry's committment to addressing the issues rising from the sector and pledged to help create a conducive environment for investors.

"As a Ministry, we are fully committed to tackling emerging issues in different subsectors in the transport industry with the intention of creating an enabling environment that will attract investors and encourage business growth without disenfranchising the hustler operators and the end users," Murkomen said.

The forthcoming consultative meeting signifies a positive step towards fostering open dialogue and cooperation between all stakeholders in the ride-hailing sector.

As the government and industry leaders collaborate to find viable solutions, the hopes are high that these efforts will lead to tangible improvements that benefit both the drivers and the sector as a whole.