Judy Wanjiru is a successful cab driver from Nairobi.
She used to sell new and used vehicles in Mombasa while also working part-time as a taxi driver.
When she moved to Nairobi, Wanjiru had no automobile and began looking for work to support herself in the city.
Someone suggested she create a taxi business with a partner’s automobile.
Wanjiru heeded the advise and, after witnessing how profitable the business was, purchased a car on hire in Mombasa.
“I met a man while job hunting, and I informed him about my part-time work as a cab driver in Mombasa. He advised me to pursue the same job since it was profitable in the city
“So, for the first six months, I operated the taxi business with a partner’s car. Fortunately, I had savings of Ksh 400,000 that I used as a deposit to acquire my hire purchase car with a monthly payment plan of Ksh 32,000,” she said.
According to Wanjiru, this was a fantastic deal because she has always been able to make her monthly payments.
She urges ambitious drivers to avoid zero-deposit car ownership plans.
Wanjiru claims that customers who choose zero deposit schemes frequently fail to understand the strict terms and restrictions.
She also mentioned that a buddy took a vehicle using the similar scam, and the amount due never lowered.
“His balance was always Ksh 500,000. I believe it is better to buy a car from a dealership rather than getting into crooked deals,” she noted.
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While many people claim that the taxi industry in Kenya is challenging, Wanjiru says she has no complaints.
She blames most drivers’ troubles on laziness, a lack of understanding of the industry and a failure to establish a solid reputation with clients.
“I wake up as early as 4 a.m., and close in the evening at 8 PM. On a good day, I make Ksh 7,000, and on a bad day, Ksh 5,000. The secret to taxi service is giving out your contact to clients who request long-distance trips outside Nairobi, where they pay upwards of Ksh 20,000 per trip,” she said.
In a bad month, Wanjiru makes upwards of Ksh 150,000.
‘Additionally, in the morning, don’t wait at home for requests; drive around the airport and SGR, and you might find long-distance clients who have just arrived in the country. I also have my regular clients whom I take to work and sometimes pick up and drop off their children at school,” she stated.
Furthermore, Wanjiru says she never declines app requests, but instead talks to her clients, explaining that the payment might be too little for the ride.
Some clients end up adding extra payment on top of the app earnings.
“When I receive a client who wants to be driven to Nakuru, I tell them that the app revenues barely cover the cost of petrol, and some clients pay extra,” she added.
Wanjiru discusses some of the difficulties encountered in the company, such as passengers refusing to pay after reaching their location or producing messes, such as vomiting in the vehicle, for those who are sick or drunk.
She encouraged women to consider becoming cab drivers, pointing out that it is easier and pays more than remaining at home all day.
“The secret is giving out your contact to clients who request long-distance trips outside Nairobi, where they pay upwards of Ksh 20,000 per trip,” she added.
