Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has promised digital taxi owners and drivers that he will shut down app companies that are exploiting them by flouting laid-down regulations.
The CS spoke on Friday when digital taxi owners and drivers presented a petition to him at his Transcom House office in Nairobi.
The operators want the laws governing the industry to be enforced to the letter to protect them from unfair treatment by digital app companies.
"I'm ready, I have not started this work now, we started this (regulatory process) in the Senate with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. The regulations have come into force and I agree with you that it's now time for enforcement," he said.
The CS thanked the operators for presenting their petition peacefully and promised to convene a stakeholder meeting with all sector players to address the grievances raised.
"We will call a meeting and CEOs of all apps operating in Kenya must attend together with their representatives. Come with evidence and select around 100 people to present your concerns. Tukipata kampuni flani ndio inaleta shida, mi nazima yote," Murkomen said.
In their petition, the operators want a robust pricing mechanism that addresses low and unsafe rates, a robust grievances handling policy and guidelines mechanism to address drivers, vehicle owners and app companies' work engagements.
Murkomen said the laws that deal with all the issues raised are already in place and reiterated that he will ensure they are applied by all players and stakeholders without fail.
"What we are talking about here is not about the lack of law, we are talking because of adherence to the law," he said.
