Interior PS Karanja Kibicho forms team to formulate new laws to govern online taxi operations

Interior Security PS Karanja Kibicho chairs stakeholders meeting over taxi operators dispute at Harambee House in Nairobi on 8th February, 2016. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

A team has been formed to formulate laws that will govern online taxi operations.

A meeting called to discuss the entry of Uber online taxi platform in Kenya resolved to appoint the team to be led by Competition Authority boss Wang’ombe Kariuki to come up with laws.

Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho said the committee’s report will be incorporated in the drafting of laws to govern online taxi operations

“The PS formed a stakeholders’ committee under the chairmanship of the Director General of Competition Authority Mr Wang’ombe Kariuki to deliberate on issues raised during the meeting and present a report in two weeks’ time,” read part of a statement issued from the ministry.

The meeting was called following threats by traditional taxi operators to go on strike if Uber ones were not tamed.

Currently, the county government is in the process of deliberating the Nairobi County Taxi Cabs Bill (2015).

The stakeholders committee will comprise of National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Nairobi County Government, Kenya Investments Authority, KEPSA and representatives of registered taxi business organiSations.

During the meeting, it was resolved that all taxi operators must observe law and order at all times.

“Let me make it very clear that any person engaged in acts of lawlessness will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law. We have an established mechanism of resolving disputes, and lawlessness is not one of them,” said PS Kibicho.

The taxi operators’ representatives present condemned attacks on rivals’ vehicles and disowned anyone engaged in such acts saying that such people are criminals who should be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet said he had given instructions to the police to ensure that all those who breach the law are dealt with.

“Anyone inciting or threatening to engage in acts of lawlessness ostensibly because of business disputes will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” said Boinnet.

The meeting at Kibicho’s office was a follow-up to a directive given last week by the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government Maj-Gen (Rtd) Joseph Nkaisserry for PS Kibicho to convene a stakeholders meeting to resolve the dispute between taxi operators.

During the meeting the stakeholders acknowledged the need to be innovative and embrace modern technology.

“We embrace technology, rule of law and peace for all Kenyans,” taxi operators said in statement read by an official Mr Job Nzioka during the meeting.

Last week, a group purporting to represent taxi operators issued an ultimatum threatening to block roads in Nairobi if their competitors from Uber were allowed to continue operating in the country.