International Review of Business, Trade, and Economics
Promoting and Governing Worker-Platform Co-operatives in Kenyan Ride-Hailing Sector: Regulatory Analysis and Reform
Abstract
Jared Mark O. Matabi
This study explores the regulation of worker-platform co-operatives in Kenya’s ride-hailing sector. A qualitative case study research design involved semi-structured interviews with government actors, platform stakeholders, drivers’ associations, co-operative members, and legal practitioners to establish the prevailing regulation and its impacts. The study identifies the main challenges to the growth of the co-operatives in the form of limited legal recognition, inadequate understanding of ownership over ride-hailing platforms, labour rights advocacy restrictions, financial issues, and disarticulated governance. The study recommends extensive reforms in co-operative policy, technology, finance, and governance to deal with the challenges identified. The primary recommendations feature the explicit legal recognition of platform co-operatives, enablement of co-operatively owned ride-hailing platforms, differentiated financial incentives, and higher stakeholder participation. The study advocates for a synergistic and participative regulation approach founded on international best practices to support a sustainable and equitable ride-hailing market in Kenya and empower e-drivers through worker-platform co-operativism.