Another Uber vehicle burned shortly after it launches in Mombasa, Kenya
An Uber driver has said that he managed to escape his vehicle before four men burned it completely.
Uber’s plan to expand its services in Kenya, had been in question for several weeks before it officially launched last week in Mombasa (23 March 2016), amidst protests from Nairobi taxi drivers.
It was earlier reported that the ride-hailing service app has been defended by the Kenyan government, against other taxi drivers.
Uber drivers have been apprehensive about operating in the capital city while other taxi drivers have been arrested for cases of assault against Uber drivers.
Continuous rivalry
On the day the service launched in Mombasa an Uber vehicle was set alight in Nairobi by four men who approached the driver and the vehicle.
Although the men tried to restrain him the driver managed to escape before the car was burned.
Tensions rise while more vehicles burned
Nairobi Police chief Japheth Koome told Associated Press that a man hired the Uber car to take him to the outskirts of the capital and led the driver to a dark alley.
He said that the four men had completely burned the car after he managed to get away.
Traditional taxis not backing down
There have been several incidents involving Uber vehicles and drivers who have been threatened and assaulted. Regular taxi drivers have expressed their frustrations and anger towards the competitive pricing structures that they feel will leave them out of business.