Is There Uber in Nairobi in 2024?
Wondering whether or not there is Uber in Nairobi?
You’ve come to the right place, I live in Nairobi and use Uber frequently. In this article, I will guide you through Uber in Nairobi and hopefully, you feel confident using it even if it’s your first time in Nairobi.
Nairobi is a large county with lots of attractions and recreational facilities located outside Nairobi city, you’ll need a reliable means of transport.
Public transport in Kenya is very convenient and available around the clock. But as a visitor, moving around can get tricky as you don’t know which bus goes where and where to board from.
In this case, ride-sharing apps like Uber are useful since not everyone loves public transport.
To quickly answer the question, is there Uber in Nairobi? Yes, there is Uber in Nairobi.
But you may find it a little bit complicated in Nairobi, especially if coming from countries where Uber is very popular such as the USA.
So let’s dive into the article!
Is There Uber In Nairobi?
Yes, there is Uber in Nairobi.
Uber began operating in Nairobi in late January 2015. The company faced some challenges in launching its operations in the city.
Local taxi drivers felt that Uber would affect their businesses. In the beginning, there were a couple of cases where Uber drivers faced harassment and their vehicles were destroyed.
Uber’s launching in Nairobi created jobs and since it provided a cheap and convenient mode of transport, it soon gained popularity.
Today, Uber is still operating in Nairobi with its share of challenges, especially among drivers. Somehow the huge earnings promised are no longer a reality for many.
In 2019, Uber launched uberBODA which is uber services using motorbikes. Motorbike (known as Boda Boda) transport is popular in Africa as it’s a fast and convenient way to move around short distances.
In 2023, uber launched Electric Boda a green initiative in their services. Now you can choose uberBODA or go green with an electric motorbike.
Keep in mind that, Uber Boda isn’t like renting a motorbike, you still get a rider who will take you to your destination.
I haven’t used the uberBODA yet, but have a friend who took one and used it to tour Nairobi city. He was traveling from the USA and saw this as a convenient way to see a large part of Nairobi at a very cheap price.
To sum it up, yes, there is Uber in Nairobi. You can catch an Uber at the airport, from your hotel, and to any location around or outside Nairobi.
Is Uber expensive in Nairobi?
No, Uber in Nairobi is not expensive, the minimum you can pay for about 5 km is KES 300 which is about $2.
The prices will however vary depending on which service you opt for. There are currently 8 services available on Uber Nairobi. These include;
- Uber Comfort
- Uber Chapchap
- UberXL
- Uber Boda
- Electric Boda
- UberX
- Package car
- Package Boda
Package Car and Package Boda are Uber delivery services as the name suggests. All these are great options and you can opt for whichever fits your style and needs.
I love Uber Chapchap it’s not only the most affordable option in most cases but also fast. The phrase “chap chap” is used as a Swahili slang in Kenya to mean “quick or hurry up or fast“.
Uber Boda is also popular, especially for short distances and when you want to beat the traffic in Nairobi.
Uber is generally cheaper than taxis in Nairobi but slightly more expensive than public transport. Below is a price estimate from the international airport to Nairobi city center. It costs between KES 970 – 1290 which is equivalent to $7.5 – 10 in 2024.
A taxi ride to the same destination will cost you $20 -35 or more. Since most taxis are privately owner and don’t have meters, drivers set the price.
In case there is no Uber near you and you don’t want to use taxis, there are other ride-sharing apps like Bolt and registered taxi companies available in Nairobi. We’ll get into this shortly.
First, let me guide you on understanding Uber in Nairobi.
Understanding Uber in Nairobi
As mentioned earlier, Uber in Nairobi can be quite different, especially coming from Western countries.
When you order in Uber in say, New York, the driver shows up at your pickup point and drops you at your destination. Sometimes you can ride without even exchanging a lot of words.
In Nairobi and other towns in Kenya where Uber operates, you might have to answer a call from your Uber driver to direct them to your pickup point BUT not always.
You see, not every tiny location is marked on the maps in Nairobi. Sometimes you find when you send a pin to your location, it will show a landmark maybe 300 meters from your actual location.
The Uber driver is now forced to call you to establish your exact location. But don’t worry this never happens within the city center mostly in the city’s outskirts and residential areas.
Additionally, your app can sometimes show you that your driver isn’t moving while they are. This is due to various reasons like the driver stopping for fuel, a map malfunction or the driver turning off their data to save on the limited GB they have for the day.
Uber drivers in Kenya don’t make much. This means that most have to top up fuel as they earn hence the stops and save on data by switching it off regularly.
When it comes to payment, M-pesa or cash payment is preferred as card payments take longer to process. Drivers renting their cars may cancel your ride since this will inconvenience them as they have to pay daily.
I highly recommend registering for M-pesa once you get your Kenyan SIM card. Many businesses (including attractions entry fees) use M-pesa as it’s cashless and safe and also guarantees smooth Uber booking.
Lastly, a driver might ask you to cancel a ride due to various reasons like long distance or card payment. Once a driver cancels more than 15% of rides Uber kicks them out of business so to avoid this they ask you to cancel on your end.
Everything else is normal for Uber in other countries. You’ll meet the one driver who wants to take longer routes to earn more even when there is no traffic to avoid. 🙂
Are There Other Ride-sharing Apps in Nairobi?
Yes, there are other ride-sharing apps in Nairobi. These include:
- Bolt
- Little cab
These operate like Uber connecting local drivers to clients and paying a certain percentage to drivers. You can download these apps and compare prices but it’s usually similar.
Bolt is quite popular among Nairobians maybe even popular than Uber.
In addition, there are registered local taxi companies in Nairobi. These offer airport pickup services, you can hire them for a day or longer and daily commute around Kenya. These include:
- JimCab
- PTG Travels
- Absolute Cabs
I’ve used JimCabs severally and they are very reliable and convenient. I would highly recommend them especially if ride-sharing apps have caused you enough frustrations.
Other ways to get around Nairobi
If you choose to avoid Uber, taxis, and other ride-sharing apps in Nairobi, don’t worry you can still get around easily. Public transport in Nairobi is readily available regardless of your location.
You can hop onto a bus and head to Nairobi National Park or Giraffe Center as it’s that accessible.
Other ways to get around Nairobi include:
- Matatus
- Boda bodas
- Public buses
- Walking
Public transport within the city center is organized according to routes around Nairobi. At each bus stop, signs indicate where the bus is heading. In addition, there are touts calling passengers in you can ask before boarding.
Some terminals are more organized than others, so expect chaotic scenes and hooting in the city.
If visiting Nairobi for the first time, I highly recommend using Nairobi matatus at least once. The Kenyan matatu culture attracts many around the world and it’s worth experiencing.
The pimped-out matatus don’t operate on every route in Kenya. Some of the routes with the best matatus include Ngong and Ongata rongai.
You can catch a matatu to Ngong town or Nairobi National Park as the buses heading to Ongata Rongai will drop you at the gate. You’ll find these matatus along Moi Avenue in Nairobi.
Is there Uber in Nairobi: FAQ
Yes, Uber is allowed in JKIA. You can request an Uber once you arrive at Nairobi airport.
Uber in Nairobi is safe to take. Like any other place around the world, it’s advisable to be cautious and apply the safety measures you would when riding in taxis.
Uber costs in Nairobi will vary depending on the service you choose and your distance. Keep in mind fuel prices may affect the prices as well as inflation.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, a complete guide to Uber in Nairobi.
To summarise it all, there is Uber in Nairobi. In addition to regular cars, uber in Nairobi includes boda (which are motorbikes) and electric bodas.
While Uber in Nairobi may feel different from home, it’s the same company and will help you get around.
