A chilling video circulating on social media has exposed the deadly risks faced by Kenya’s digital taxi drivers. The dashcam footage shows the terrifying moment a young driver was assaulted and robbed by a gang posing as passengers.

The incident has reignited the debate on the safety of gig economy workers in Nairobi. In the video, the driver is seen waiting patiently for a ride request, only for his car to be swarmed by four men who beat him and steal his phone and earnings. It is a scene that plays out all too often in the city's dark corners.

The Modus Operandi

The footage reveals a calculated ambush. One man enters the front seat to distract the driver, while accomplices flood the back seat, overwhelming him. The psychological trauma is visible on the young man’s face as he realizes his workspace has become a cage.

• Safety Gaps: Drivers on platforms like Uber, Bolt, and Little have long complained that safety features protect the rider, not the driver. Verification of passengers remains lax compared to the scrutiny drivers face.
• Online Reaction: The video, shared by activist Jaramogi Allan Ofula, has drawn sympathy and anger. "Some faces are guilty until proven otherwise," Ofula noted, reflecting the paranoia now gripping the industry.
• Call for Action: Unions are demanding panic buttons linked to police stations and mandatory ID verification for all riders.

A Hazardous Hustle

For thousands of unemployed youth, digital taxis are a lifeline. But as this video proves, the hustle comes with a high price. Every trip is a gamble with one's life.