Kenyans have always wanted to pay for Uber via M-PESA. However, this feature was unavailable in the app years after the e-cab company joined the Kenyan market. Riders had several options, none of which had anything to do with the mobile money services that Kenyans use so much.
However, this has changed after Safaricom announced a partnership with Uber that will allow Kenyan riders to pay for their trips via M-PESA. At the same time, drivers can also receive their disbursements from Uber via M-PESA if they choose that option.
This development has a couple of advantages. First, riders will no longer need to send money for their trips directly to their driver by asking for their phone numbers. Secondly, drivers will eliminate one more step by receiving their disbursements from Uber to their M-PESA wallets – and not from Uber to the bank, and then to M-PESA as has been the case. Lastly, Uber will be able to take its cut through M-PESA, instead of a driver remitting the funds to Uber at a later date.
Security updates
Soon, you can also record your trip using your phone’s microphone. This is key, especially when a driver and a rider are having an issue because, let’s face it, cab drivers and riders disagree on many matters. The disagreements have, in some cases, turned violent. Uber support can also find it challenging to resolve such issues, mainly when it is difficult to determine which party is wrong.
Now, if a driver knows a rider is audio-recording a trip, then chances of him/her misbehaving are lowered – and vice versa. Will this feature work to the benefit of all parties? We will see when it gets here.
What they said
“Through the integration of M-PESA for trip payments, we are excited to bring the ease and convenience of mobile money to riders on our platform,” said Imran Manji, Head of East Africa, Uber. “We are pleased to have found a partner in Safaricom in order to take this significant step towards enhancing financial inclusion in the country.”
“This partnership with Uber will enable us to provide thousands of drivers and delivery people alongside millions of customers with a fully digital solution with faster, secure, affordable, and convenient payments through M-PESA. We maintain a strong commitment to working with partners such as Uber as they enable us to deliver more value and opportunities to our customers in line with our purpose to transform lives,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO – Safaricom.
