The Transport Workers Union of Kenya has decided to take legal action against Uber and Bolt, accusing the two ride-hailing companies of exploiting drivers and violating their constitutional rights. General Secretary Nicholas Ogolla revealed the plan in a statement to TechMarge, saying the union will file a constitutional petition against both companies over what it calls unfair and unlawful digital labour practices.
The union plans to submit the case to the Employment and Labour Relations Court, naming not only Uber and Bolt but also several state regulators as respondents. These include the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the National Transport and Safety Authority, and the Competition Authority of Kenya.
Ogolla said the petition will challenge what the union describes as exploitative commission deductions, opaque algorithms, and arbitrary account suspensions that deny drivers their livelihood without due process. He argued that drivers deserve dignity, fair pay, and respect under Kenya’s labour laws, not the constant control of algorithms that treat them like expendable workers.
The union accused Uber and Bolt of continuing to take commissions that exceed the legal 18 percent cap set by Kenya’s Digital Hailing Regulations of 2022. Ogolla said both companies manipulate pricing systems to reduce driver earnings and frequently deactivate drivers’ accounts without explanation or the chance to appeal, a practice he referred to as “digital dismissal.” He also accused the companies of collecting and processing driver data secretly, in violation of the Data Protection Act of 2019.
“Uber and Bolt call drivers independent contractors,” Ogolla said, “but they control every aspect of the job, from pricing to penalties to account deactivation. That’s not independence; that’s exploitation.”
The union is collaborating with platform driver associations and civil society groups to build a strong case. They are gathering evidence, drafting affidavits, and preparing to demand enforcement of workers’ rights guaranteed under Kenya’s Constitution, including fair labour practices, consumer protection, and fair administrative action.
TAWU has given Uber, Bolt, and the listed regulators 14 days to address the complaints before the union files the petition in court. Ogolla said the union will not back down until ride-hailing companies treat drivers as workers with rights, not data points managed by an algorithm.
