Online taxi service firm Uber on Wednesday launched operations in Mombasa even as it asked police for protection after one of its drivers was attacked and his car burnt in Nairobi earlier in the day.
Uber Spokesperson Samantha Allenberg said the online taxi platform is “engaging with authorities and working to understand more” about the latest incident which saw an Uber driver flee a gang of criminals who later burned his car.
"Uber is in open dialogue with the authorities, and we remain committed to that dialogue in response to today’s incident," Ms Allenberg said in a statement.
"Any situation where driver or rider safety is put at risk is unacceptable to us. Safety, reliability and choice, not violence, are what continue to draw people towards Uber's driver-partners as well as alternative transportation service providers, ” she added
On its expansion to Mombasa Uber Kenya, acting General Manager Nate Anderson said with the launch, Mombasa joins the list of “smart transportation hubs in Africa.”
“We’re really excited to be launching Uber in Mombasa. Giving locals and visitors in Mombasa an affordable, easy and flexible choice to move around the city safely and reliably.”
Uber Kenya Operations Manager Kagure Wamunyu the taxi service would help “improve urban mobility in Mombasa, reduce traffic congestion and the environmental impact of vehicles at the same time.”
“Uber is a new and exciting platform that is changing the way Kenyans move around their cities and we are shaping the future of cities across the world. Mombasa is a cultural and economic hub as well as a popular tourist destination that has a need for safe, reliable and efficient transportation and we are so excited to be launching here,” he said.
Uber launched its services in Kenya in January last year. The San Fransisco based Uber is present in more than 399 cities Mombasa included.
By: BD
