In honor of all the amazing women driver-partners in Kenya, we hosted a luncheon at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi, on Wednesday 14th September 2016 to show our appreciation for their amazing contribution to Uber and Nairobi.

Our guests were Principal Secretary of Gender Affairs, Zeinab W. Hussein, United Nations Women Country Director, Zebib Kavuma, Journalist and Broadcaster, Radio & Print, Caroline Mutoko and Eva Muraya, CEO & Founder of BSD group to join in on the celebration! Our women-driver partners were treated to motivational talks on the importance of women in society and their contribution to the economy.

We also got to hear some amazing personal stories from our women driver-partners.  Uber is a blessing for Eunice, who is a mum because she gets to chose her working hours. Caroline enjoys the safety the platform offers while she is driving and Laetitiah, who owns her own NGO, shared her support of the platform because it’s provides a great side hustle “I can pick my own hours”.

On the Uber platform, drivers can drive whenever they can or whenever they want. Driver-partners can set their own schedules while maintaining a steady, independent source of income. Many women drivers in particular say the need for part-time or flexible scheduling is the major reason they drive with Uber. Women partners also like that all trips are GPS tracked and that drivers can provide feedback and rate each other after every trip. And that if something happens in a car, whether it’s a traffic accident or tech issue, Uber customer support staff are ready to respond to any issues 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Uber has enabled over 1,000 economic opportunities since launching in Kenya and recently completed its 1 millionth trip. “At Uber we believe in empowering women to become small business owners and we are well on track to enable hundreds more economic opportunities for women over the next year.” Nate Anderson,  Uber General Manager, East Africa

A big thank you to Radisson Blu for hosting us and for providing the perfect ambiance for appreciating our women driver- partners. An even bigger thank you to our amazing guests who showed their love for #UberWOMEN – we are thrilled that we got to share this special moment with you. Special thanks to all the women driver-partners for everything you do. You are the everyday smiles and faces of Uber.

Check out some cool photos of the luncheon, and do join us in spreading the #UberWOMEN love!

Uber General Manager Nate Anderson (centre) poses with Uber Operations and Logistics Manager Kagure Wamunyu (extreme left), and the Honourable Principal Secretary of Gender Affairs, Zeinab W. Hussein, UN Women Country Director, Zebib Kavuma and Eva Muraya (extreme right) during the Uber Women Appreciation Luncheon.
Uber General Manager Nate Anderson (centre) poses with Uber Operations and Logistics Manager Kagure Wamunyu (extreme left), and the Honourable Principal Secretary of Gender Affairs, Zeinab W. Hussein, UN Women Country Director, Zebib Kavuma and Eva Muraya (extreme right) during the Uber Women Appreciation Luncheon.
Journalist and Broadcaster, Radio & Print Caroline Mutuko (centre) interacts with Uber Women driver-partners at the Uber's Women Appreciation Luncheon.
Journalist and Broadcaster, Radio & Print Caroline Mutuko (centre) interacts with Uber Women driver-partners at the Uber’s Women Appreciation Luncheon.
Uber Public Policy Africa Cezanne Maheralli (right) listening to women driver-partners sharing their experiences using the platform
Uber Public Policy Africa Cezanne Maheralli (right) listening to women driver-partners sharing their experiences using the platform
The Honourable Principal Secretary of Gender Affairs, Zeinab W. Hussein (centre), UN Women Country Director, Zebib Kavuma (left) and Uber Kenya Operations and Logistics Manager Kagure Wamunyu with women driver-partners.
The Honourable Principal Secretary of Gender Affairs, Zeinab W. Hussein (centre), UN Women Country Director, Zebib Kavuma (left) and Uber Kenya Operations and Logistics Manager Kagure Wamunyu with women driver-partners.