By Morris Aron
The slow adoption of taxi-hailing apps in Mombasa is a complex interplay of cultural, economic, and infrastructural factors unique to the city. Unlike Nairobi, where app-based taxis have become a staple, Mombasa’s transport ecosystem remains deeply rooted in traditional modes of movement, particularly the ubiquitous tuk-tuks.
These three-wheeled vehicles offer a level of convenience, affordability, and maneuverability that app-based taxis struggle to match, especially in the city’s narrow streets and high-traffic zones.
With fares often lower than those of ride-hailing taxis and the ability to navigate areas where larger vehicles struggle, tuk-tuks have remained the preferred mode of transport for both residents and tourists.
Beyond competition from tuk-tuks, ride-hailing services in Mombasa face a significant trust deficit between passengers and drivers.
A recurrent complaint among users is the common practice of drivers demanding additional cash beyond the app’s calculated fare. This practice, often justified by claims of fuel price fluctuations, long wait times, or difficult routes, has led to frustration and eroded confidence in these services.
The inconsistency in pricing and disputes over fares diminish the core appeal of ride-hailing apps, which promise transparency and convenience. Many passengers, after repeated experiences of being asked for extra money at the trip’s end, prefer to negotiate directly with tuk-tuk drivers instead, where pricing is often settled upfront.
Additionally, Mombasa’s unique urban geography and lower demand density pose operational challenges for ride-hailing companies. The city’s spread-out population, coupled with fluctuating demand patterns—higher during tourist seasons and lower in off-peak periods—makes it difficult for drivers to sustain steady earnings.
Unlike Nairobi, where ride-hailing cars have a constant flow of passengers due to a more centralized urban design, Mombasa’s demand remains inconsistent. Drivers often complain about long wait times between trips, leading them to prefer private arrangements or traditional taxi operations over app-based services. This unreliability in driver availability further discourages users, who find it more practical to hail a tuk-tuk or a boda boda instead.
For taxi-hailing apps to succeed in Mombasa, they must adapt to the city’s unique transport dynamics rather than attempt to replicate models that work in Nairobi or other major urban centers.
Possible interventions include integrating tuk-tuks into app-based platforms, enforcing stricter fare regulations, and introducing incentives that make the service more reliable and competitive. Without addressing these fundamental issues, ride-hailing services in Mombasa will remain a niche offering rather than a transformative urban mobility solution.
MA is an ex-Deloitte stratcom specialist, an economist and an award winning business journalist with over 15 years of experience.
