Kenya's Women-Only Cabs: Cab-hailing service launches in Nairobi with safety in mind

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Kenya has launched its first women-only online cab-hailing service in Nairobi. The service hopes to address women's concerns about traveling with men they do not know, while also empowering the women economically. CGTN's Wilkister Nyabwa reports.

In Kenya's capital, Nairobi, a lone woman hops into a cab-on her way across the city. She has chosen this particular cab for a special reason. The vehicle is registered under An- Nisa, an online cab-hailing service run by women. It serves female passengers and young children only.

It all started when the founder, a budding entrepreneur, discovered that many women who used cabs in Nairobi grappled with the thought of jumping into vehicles with unfamiliar men.

MEHNAZ SARWAR FOUNDER, AN-NISA CABS "I was always uncomfortable being in a car with someone I didn't know, especially if it was a male. So I was always in search of a female driver. I realized that a lot of ladies are still in that position."

So Mehnar decided to start a taxi service that would cater to the women. But first she had to find female drivers in a male-dominated industry. Susan Cherotich is one of over 50 female drivers who signed up for the new service. She has worked for all the other online cab services, but this is different.

SUSAN CHEROTICH DRIVER, AN-NISA CABS "It is long overdue. Now that we have our own app, we run it and especially for us, it is more empowering."

In the last 3 years, at least a dozen online cab services have launched in Kenya to meet the changing needs of commuters. The companies which run the applications take between 15 and 25% of the money drivers make on their trips. An-Nisa's 10% commission is low in comparison.

SUSAN CHEROTICH DRIVER, AN-NISA CABS "Now that the commissions are lower, we'll be able to earn a bit more. And because most of the riders are ladies, should they all embrace this app, we'll be able to earn more out of it."

The application has been running for barely a week, but it hasn't been smooth sailing. It has experienced technical challenges which a team is working to resolve. But if all goes well in coming months, the team hopes to expand to other towns to provide a service whose demand is growing by the day.

WILKISTER NYABWANAIROBI, KENYA "It is estimated that female drivers make up just 3% of the 12,000 drivers registered by online cab-hailing applications. With this new service ,An-Nisa hopes to get more women not just in their cabs, but also behind the wheel. Wilkister Nyabwa, CGTN, Nairobi, Kenya."