MYSTORY: Life as a female Uber driver

“Everyone tells me how brave I must be, but all I did was see an opportunity and take it. Uber launched in Nairobi in 2015, just after I had finished studying hospitality at The Utalii College. It had been difficult finding a steady job. When I heard about Uber, I figured (being a driver) is related to hospitality. I also I knew that many girls would not go into it and I wanted to be different. It was a risk, and it was scary, but I felt that I was up for the challenge.

 “With some savings and a boost from my parents, I bought a car. Suddenly it all became very real. It was no longer an idea. When I went to the Uber office to register my car, there were other women, but they had only come to register their cars before handing them over to male drivers. I was the only female in the main training session. I was also the youngest trainee. Even though the guys were really supportive, they all exclaimed about how brave it was for a young woman to be a taxi driver.”

 “Working for a taxi service means that even though the hours are flexible, they are odd. I have a six year old and I have to schedule work around school drop-offs, pick-ups and homework checks. On weekdays, I start work after I drop her off at school then I work until 8 or 9pm. On weekends, I work around the clock – from Friday noon all the way to Saturday 1pm. I then take two or three hours for a shower and a power nap then get back to work around 4pm. I work through Saturday night. It’s busiest from 3am to Sunday morning when people are leaving clubs and later when others are going to church. I then take Sunday afternoon and Monday off.

“When I was just beginning, I would go home very early. I was anxious that I didn’t know the city that well and didn’t want to go with strangers at night to destinations I didn’t know my way around. But now I know my way around and I have gathered confidence to work longer and later hours.”

 “At night I wear a hoodie so that it is less obvious that I am a woman. It also makes me feel as if no one is watching. I don’t stop at one place for too long or park in secluded places. At night, I will generally take women wherever they want but in some cases I decline out-of-town trips requested by male clients. One guy I dropped asked me to wait for him for about 30 minutes and then take him to Gatundu. It was during the day but it just didn’t feel right so, since I had already ended the trip, I politely asked him to request another Uber. The problem with our end of the app is that you only get to know your client’s destination once you have begun the trip. So when I am not comfortable with the destination and I decline the trip and client is already in the car, some become very angry but some understand. However, these incidents happen rarely. “

“Both day and night, I dress simple and casual – mainly in jeans. You want to be in comfortable clothes in case you have to fix the car… or run and hide. Besides, you don’t want to be driving strange men with your dress riding up your thighs. I have never thought about carrying a weapon. I mean I don’t go around being stupidly brave. I am careful. I also pray a lot. I think the fact that people remark about how brave I am has actually made me brave.

“Male clients tend to be baffled and curious about why I decided to do this job. They ask a lot of questions. Women get very excited about their first ride with a female driver. Both have remarked that they feel safer with me. Generally, men are very kind and professional. Sometimes women can be a little moody and release their stress on you. I once carried a woman who said she was late and demanded that I get her from Village Market to Nairobi hospital in a few minutes in rush hour traffic. Her tone was very harsh and she kept nagging and questioning my ability to find the best routes. I rode for a few minutes, ended the trip and asked her to hail another ride. I didn’t even ask her to pay. This kind of thing happens rarely, though.

“Some men will try to hit on me – especially since they have my number. Once in a while I will get the occasional ‘hey’, ‘hope you got home safe’, ‘I really enjoyed the ride’ – nothing troublesome so far. But I have since separated my personal and work number.

“My training in hospitality has really helped me deal with the slightly unpleasant clients. I have been doing this since October of 2016 and my experience has been largely positive. I am even thinking of adding another car. I have not found any reason why women shouldn’t be taxi drivers.”

*2016 audit by Nairobi City Council and UN Habitat’s Safer Cities.