Good morning listers,

Today we will talk about Digital Hailing Services Regulations and the licensing of the Service Operators under part 1 of the regulations.

Looking at the document, it seems like the NTSA is trying to regulate the industry following the recent incidents that have come up: eg accidents, assisted crimes and digital taxi drivers woes. These regulations will require any digital hailing services; Uber, Bolt, and Swivl, to register in Kenya and operate under the Kenyan laws. They will also obtain operating licences from the NTSA.

We would like to hear your views on this:

a. Are the regulations necessary?
b. Is NTSA the right/best body to regulate Digital Hailing Transport Services?
c. What are the likely impacts in the transport industry, Information Society Sector and gig economy? etc
d. Should multinationals be subjected to different licensing requirements?

Here are some resources to guide our discussions.

1. Bolt, uber among taxi apps ordered to get licences or get off road. https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2020-02-04-uber-bolt-among-taxi-apps-ordered-to-get-licences-or-get-off-road/

2. Can California reign tech-gig platforms? A primer on the bold state law that will try. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/01/14/can-california-reign-techs-gig-platforms-primer-bold-state-law-that-will-try/

Over to you listers.

Best regards.

Liz.

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