Mwenda, M. (2023). Digitizing Employment and Employment Status in the Era of Gig Work: The Case of Uber and Uber Drivers. University of Nairobi Law Journal, 10(2).

Abstract

Uber Technologies Inc. is a ride-hailing company that developed what has been widely described as a disruptive technology108, in Kenya and globally. It is an online platform that allows the user to order the nearest vehicle to their location as pinpointed by the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS).109 The company was founded in 2009 by Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp, and quickly became a captain in the transport industry. Uber reported revenues of $31.8 billion, despite overhead costs resulting in a loss of $9.06 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022.110 For the end of the 2023 first Quarter, Uber reported a 29% Year-on-Year rise in revenue to $8.8 billion, showing positive and strong growth as compared to the first quarter of 2022.111 Europe, Middle East and Africa contributed a total of $2.09 billion to that figure, representing an increase of 86% from Q1 2022.112 This was the highest single point of growth as compared to other regions around the globe, indicating rapid uptake of the application and favorable business conditions in the said region.

Despite various scandals that have made the company an interesting one to watch

by the business community, Uber has acquired its global position on merit. In addition to providing an accessible, affordable and easy-to-use innovation, it has provided gainful employment to about 22,800 employees worldwide and facilitated over 5 million drivers and couriers to earn a living globally.113 Uber employs approximately 12000 drivers in Kenya alone. The company is regulated by the National Transport and Regulatory Authority under the Transport Network Companies, Owners, Drivers and Passengers Regulations of 2022.