• Yego aims to deliver drivers from the chains of economic hardship
• It seeks to ensure fairness and safety to both drivers and passengers
Image: Aura Ruth
Hundreds of taxi drivers in Mombasa are set to benefit from a new taxi digital application that was launched in the region on Tuesday.
Yego CEO Karanvir Singh said the Yego app, which has created jobs for more than 15,000 in Nairobi, will employ 400 drivers in Mombasa.
He said the company intends to bring a lot of benefits into the industry and address the challenges facing digital taxi drivers.
"We wanted to come to Mombasa in 2020 because we have been looking at the taxi market since 2019, but again Covid came in and we had to delay," Singh said.
"I have been here since December last year and together with my team, we spoke to a lot of taxi drivers, who expressed the challenges they are facing, just like those in Nairobi and other counties.
"And we felt it was about time we come to Mombasa and offer them an alternative."
He said the taxi drivers have had a raw deal so far, and by them coming to Mombasa as a company, it is very clear about them being ethical and a sustainable business model that has a balanced view for both passengers and drivers.
Singh said one of the main concerns they have for all passengers is their safety and security.
He said they will ensure that by having a 24-7 call centre, they can ensure safety, security and human access to all passengers and drivers.
The Yego CEO said the business is a game changer to the residents of Mombasa because they will charge the lowest commission of 12 per cent inclusive of VAT and make sure that drivers get their commission within 60 seconds after finishing their ride.
"Most app companies have one way of booking a ride, but we have three ways," he said.
"You can call our call centre, just step up to any Yego taxi and pay for the ride to avoid the frustration of waiting for the taxi and telling the driver where you are, and of course, the use of the app," he said.
He said every taxi driver will be verified as per the National Transport and Safety Authority guidelines before joining the platform and will also go through the vetting process to ensure they comply with all the regulations.
Singh said their system will be tracking the required information about their services in real-time and that is because the most important thing from the safety perspective is the ability for one to get in touch with the live call centre and report any problem faced during the ride.
Image: AURA RUTH
The app company is also working with security agencies as well as ambulances in case of an accident or incident because they believe safety is paramount, and that is why they call themselves the safest app in Kenya.
Apart from just reducing the high level of unemployment in the region and offering the lowest charges for passengers, the company will also pay the vehicle insurance cover, National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to drivers and look after them in their old age.
"We are clearly pointing to our drivers that we are here for them for the long term. We are not being greedy today and we will not be greedy tomorrow," Singh said.
"Our mindset for them is very clear because we know how hard they have worked, we know the fact that they do not get time with their families, and it is a huge challenge," he said.
He said there are drivers from other apps he interacted with and they said they have been working for 24 hours continuously.
"There are drivers in Nairobi who drop dead from exhaustion, and these are facts and not stories that somebody spread on WhatsApp," he said.
"Therefore, the challenge for this driver community, if all apps can do the same thing as Yego, we welcome them all."
Nyali subcounty deputy county commissioner Rose Chege said the county government has created a good environment for the business, assuring them that they will get all the support they require for the business.
“This is a very good deal. Most of us may not be operating this business, but we have been clients in other companies, and we understand how the work is done," she said.
"So coming to create employment in Mombasa where there is a high level of unemployment, as county government, we are happy for what Yego app company is doing because this is a chance to create employment."
She called on all taxi drivers to be vigilant about who they carry and report any person they doubt has bad intentions.
"We have had challenges, especially with security in the taxi business. Your security starts with you yourself, so you must understand where the passenger is taking you for your safety because in Mombasa most places are hidden," she told the drivers.
"If you doubt the person you are carrying, just tell the person you are not going or make a report. We do not want you to disappear because this has happened before and we do not want it to repeat with the Yego team."
She called on the drivers to work hard and operate a decent business and also not to drink alcohol or chew any leaves while driving.
Chege said there are people who use taxis to transport illegal goods, so passenger identification is very important because sometimes, they might be carrying criminals.
"This has happened before, so let us help each other in security matters. If there is someone you doubt, just report, we will trace them," she said.
"Let us build our economy because Yego has promised that what they earn will remain here and will not be taken anywhere out of the county. I know with that, Mombasa will change very soon."
Image: AURA RUTH