Exclusive: I won’t quit my job, Uber driver who was violently assaulted by client says
A female taxi driver, who was allegedly assaulted by a client, has said has no option but go on with her job despite the harrowing experience she went through.
In an exclusive interview with Nairobi News, Ms Lilian Njeri Njuguna said she is her family’s soul bread winner and has to work hard in order to provide for the family.
“Being an online taxi driver is my only source of livelihood, if I stop doing it then it means those who depend on me will suffer,” Ms Njuguna said, who has been on the job for two months.
She said she has never had a difference with a client and was shocked when the client in question, who is a foreigner, attacked her.
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“All I want is justice and compensation because my vehicle was damaged and the suspect should get punishment according to the law,” she said.
Asked whether Uber had reached out to her, Ms Njuguna said they called her asking about the status of investigations but they had not taken any step.
The incident happened on Friday, August 29, 2023, in Mlolongo when Ms Njuguna received a ride request from a client at La-Jolla Apartment. The client, required transportation to Viraj International Academy.
However, what should have been a routine ride turned into a nasty confrontation after the client only paid Sh100 of the Sh210 fare upon arrival at the destination.
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The client then said he needed to retrieve the remaining amount from his residence. Ms Njuguna patiently waited for the client for more than 10 minutes, but shockingly, on his return he informed her that he did not have the outstanding balance.
The client requested her to take her back to the pickup point for him to settle the fare.
However, during the ride, a horrifying sequence of events transpired as the client repeatedly assaulted her. During the struggle, Ms Njuguna’s vehicle rammed a wall and later landed into a ditch.
The assailant attempted to flee the scene but was caught by boda boda and was later rescued from the lynch mob by the police.
The matter was reported at Mlolongo Police Station and recorded under Occurrence Book (OB) number 91/25/08/23.
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