With ride-hailing apps like Uber, Bolt, and Little Cab dominating the scene, more drivers are entering the gig economy looking for independence and income. But is it really a good business to pursue? John, a Nairobi-based full-time driver, shares his journey, challenges, and what keeps him on the road

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For him, ku-join hii biz, ilikuwa driven na both past experience na circumstance. “Chenye ili inspire actually ilikuwa an easy job kuingia sababu pia nilikuwa na experience zingine kama dereva hapo mbeleni,” anasema.

Ile time ya COVID-19, biz yake ili-collapse. “Nilikuwa na rafiki aliyenieleza kwamba hii biashara haikuwa mbaya na ndio nikaona niingie,” ana-recall. Hii risto ndio ilikuwa ile push he needed ku-get started.

Initially, John haku-start hii biz na capital yoyote. “Nilikuja kwanza nikaajiriwa na mtu akanipea gari yake.” Alichapa works na hio ndai for a while, aki-save whatever little angeweza. Then, a rare opportunity ikakuja knocking.

“After ku-save save nikabahatika sababu yeye pia, ile gari nilikuwa nafanya nayo, ambayo ndio hii, alikuwa anaipatiana,” ana explain. Mwenye ndai alikuwa ana-need a quick cash juu ya emergency na aka-offer kumchapia bei.

“Akaniambia nimpatie deposit kidogo around 200,000, hio pesa ingine nimlipe polepole,” ana add. Na hivo ndio ali-acquire his first car; through trust, consistency, na kujituma.

Primary source ya clients wake ukuwa sana sana through taxi-hailing apps, but sio all his customers u-come from hizi apps.

Kuna clients yeye u-get from his local community. “Kuna watu kwa mtaa yetu huwa wanajua niko na kagari so atakupigia akiwa na event,” he shares. Ame built a loyal base ya daily customers; especially mapero wanadai school drop-offs na pick-ups.

“Wale regular customers nawabebea watoto daily kuwapeleka shule na jioni wakati niko around, nimewa maintain though kuwapea services mzuri.” ana-share proudly.

According to him, flexibility ukuwa ile biggest advantage. “Hii shughuli ni mzuri sana especially if you are self-employed na uko na gari yako,” anadai.

Ana appreciates kuwa anaweza handle personal matters during the day, then ku-jump works time yoyote akiwa ready. “Mimi naweza fanya mambo yangu ingine baadaye nawasha tu app naingia kazi, na napata chenye napata; so ni flexible,” anaradisha.

John ana-admit hii biz ukuwa na several challenges. “Challenge ya kwanza ni askari; wao wanatukumbiza sana,” anasema.

According to him, makarao wao hu-often targets madere kwa hii biz wakidhani iko na a lot of money involved. Another hurdle ni poor competition within the apps. “Unapata wanachagua mwenye atacharge vizuri; of which at the end of the day inafinya driver,” ana lament.

Halafu kuna hii issue of remote trips. “Naweza chukua kazi inipeleke mwashinani mbali, unakosa return, so unachoma mafuta kurudi,” anachachisha. Halafu akijaribu kushow customers kulipa extra juu ya such jobs unapata it doesn’t always go well. Aki-add kuwa hizo conversations zo’ kuna time ukuwa a bit tense. “But at the end of the day huwa tunapata namna ya kusolve hii mambo,” anaradisha optimistically.

John ana believe the taxi app biz ni a solid opportunity, but sio ya wasee wazembe. Pia ana emphasizes story ya kuwa na proper documentation.

Ku-operate on the apps, msee anafaa kuwa na;

1️⃣ Valid driving license (iko at least 3 years old),

2️⃣ A PSV badge,

3️⃣ Clean record-good conduct

4️⃣ Gari ikuwe na inspection na PSV insurance.

Kama unaingia hii biz ukiwa na gari ya msee, yako itakuwa kushughulikia you personal driver documents zote zikuwe complete. “Make sure hizo vitu zako kama driver personal ziko in order,” ana-stress.

Mambo ya car’s compliance the owner ata handle, na once everything ime-check out, “Unaingia kazi na unapiga job,” anamalizia.

Kama hii risto ya John imekunice na ungedai ku-venture kwa hii field, kuna hizi article unaeza pitia pita ku-learn ma wa’1-2 kadhaa;