Towards a Ride-hailing Services Dependency in Nairobi? Uses, users and regulation

On-demand Ride-Hailing services (RHs) now play an increasing role within many cities around the world. RHs might increase traffic congestion, vehicle ownership and access inequalities. RHs pose significant challenges for policymakers, and addressing these issues requires detailed information about RHs use. But research on RHs services, especially in African cities, remains scarce. In this respect, this research presents original data on the use and users of RHs in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, based on the results of an ad hoc survey designed by the author. This paper provides insights into who the users of RHs are, and their motivations for using RHs. Results show that RHs are extensively used in Nairobi (across all socio-economic groups, on a regular basis and way more for work-related trips than in many Western countries). In Nairobi, where only a minority of urban dweller have access to an individual motorized mode of transport, using RHs is gradually becoming necessary to access urban amenities. Nairobi’s inhabitants are facing a growing RHs dependency, which calls in return to public regulation.