By Catherine Muema
In Summary
- The technology company was launched in the city of Nairobi on 22nd January, 2015 and to date has provided economic opportunities for 5,000 driver-partners with close to 300 becoming business owners
- Kenyans have taken millions of trips on Uber, over the last three years with the one millionth trip milestone in Nairobi completed in May 2016. Cumulatively, it emerged that Kenyans have travelled approximately over seven million kilometres which loosely translates to 203 trips to the moon and back
- Aga Khan University hospital was the overall top destination for Uber riders in Nairobi. Revealing the safety and reliability that the app offers to riders in Nairobi on a trip to hospital
- K1 Club House emerged as the top night destination for riders in Nairobi, manifesting Nairobians perpetual love for the nightlife. This not only reveals the convenience that Uber offers to riders when they go out but the contribution that the app is making towards responsible drinking.
Uber in Kenya has marked its three-year anniversary since it’s entry into the Kenyan market.
Since its launch in Nairobi on 22 January 2015, the technology company has announced interesting statistics on Kenyans’ Uber habits.
Commenting on the ‘Uberversary’, Uber’s General Manager for East Africa Loic Amado said, “The uptake of Uber has been amazing since we launched in Nairobi in 2015. We are honored by the support that we have received from riders and driver-partners since our entry into Kenya.”
As part of the celebration, Uber is rewarding every third rider of the hour with KES 1000 worth of free Uber rides all week.
In addition, Amado further appreciated Uber’s customers countrywide and in East Africa for their continued business support and making Uber their preferred choice.
“We are also available in Thika, Mombasa, Kampala and Dar es Salaam, across the board in East Africa, riders and driver-partners are enjoying another choice on how to move around their cities. We are really excited about the opportunities in Kenya and the potential in East Africa.”
In the last three years, Uber in Kenya has launched a number of products for riders and drivers in Nairobi offering more choice on uberX, UberSELECT or uberCHAPCHAP. This is in addition to an insurance cover for all Uber riders for each trip they take on the application thanks to a partnership between Uber and First Assurance.
On the driver-partner front, last year Uber introduced a new feature that helps driver-partners automatically link to riders with trips headed in the same direction at the beginning and end of their working day. The company has also enabled close to 300 driver-partners become their own business owners through vehicle solutions programmes in partnership with Stanbic and Sidian Bank.
Beyond that, Uber driver-partners in Kenya also benefit from financial literacy training through a partnership with Old Mutual. Uber in Kenya has also partnered with Total, Kingsway, Auto Express, Telkom Kenya, Chandaria Industries, Stanbic Bank, Sidian Bank, Ryde TV, CMC Suzuki and 24 Hour Car Wash to give driver-partners value adds and discounts for services.
UBER FACT FILE
- 74 different nationalities have used Uber in Nairobi
- Uber has partnered with over 5000 partner drivers
- During the UberCHOMA promotion, Uber was able to deliver 300 Nyama Choma meals on demand in Nairobi thanks to a partnership with Roast by Carnivore.
- Globally, Nairobi was launched as city number 540 in 2015
- The 1st trip was on January 22nd 2015. The trip was from City Park Crescent to Huduma Centre at GPO
- The first driver-partner was Joel Okello
- The shortest ever Uber trip made in Nairobi was from Rhapta Road to E Church Road ( 500 Metres)
- The longest Uber trip made in Nairobi was from Kenyatta Hospital with detours through Ngong road, Kikuyu, Ruaka, Banana and ended with a drop off at Star College of Management Studies in Nairobi’s CBD (128 KM)
- Uber’s Greenlight Hub serves close to 1,500 driver-partners every week
