It’s around 11 pm, and I’m riding in a Nairobi cab, sinking into the familiar rhythm of the city’s nighttime pulse. My cab rides often provide an unfiltered lens into the realities of life on these streets, each conversation revealing another layer of the gig economy, the unseen struggles of those powering it. Some drivers talk about the weight of their days ; the endless grind, dwindling margins, or the mounting pressures of rising fuel costs. Others, however, share something more profound, a glimpse into a transformation that’s taking place right under our noses.
Tonight’s ride fell into the latter category, and it was an eye-opener.
Unionism, historically, conjures images of workers striking outside factories, picket lines, and negotiations behind closed doors. It has been the engine for labor victories, from the momentous Flint Sit-Down Strike in the U.S., which galvanized workers to force recognition, to the South African miners’ strike that forever changed the labor landscape across industries. These events are powerful reminders of what can happen when workers unite to demand their rights, using solidarity as their most potent weapon. Yet, unionism today looks vastly different. In Nairobi, an unlikely cohort has found a new way to wield that same power: through a simple push-to-talk app called Zello.
At first glance, Zello seems like an unassuming walkie-talkie app, designed to enable quick voice communication between users, much like the handheld devices of old. But in Nairobi’s gig economy, Zello has become a lifeline, a means of instantaneous connection, and, more crucially, a digital platform for real-time unionism. Over the past four months, more than 50,000 cab drivers have woven themselves into a vast, interconnected network, utilizing Zello not only to communicate but also to unite in their shared struggles against unfair treatment, safety concerns, and exploitation.
Consider this: The isolated nature of gig work, where drivers operate as individual units, scattered across Nairobi’s sprawling streets, has traditionally been a significant hurdle for organizing. Unlike factory floors or construction sites, cab drivers have no physical space to gather, no common ground to rally. But Zello has changed that. With a single tap, drivers can broadcast their situation to thousands of peers, receiving support, advice, or direct assistance almost instantaneously.
Perhaps one of the most striking examples of this digital solidarity took place in Kitengela, a growing urban area on the outskirts of Nairobi. A passenger, attempting to exploit the power imbalance often faced by cab drivers, refused to pay their fare. The driver, stranded and vulnerable, turned to Zello. Within minutes, over a hundred drivers mobilized, surrounding the passenger’s home and blocking every exit route. The rogue customer quickly realized they were up against a formidable collective, one far more powerful than any lone driver.
This type of real-time coordination isn’t just about solidarity in moments of crisis, it’s about creating a safety net. Whether it’s mechanical breakdowns, fuel shortages, or harassment from passengers, drivers can use Zello to call for help. What traditional unions would negotiate over months or years (collective bargaining power, mutual support, protection from exploitation) Zello provides on the fly, at the push of a button.
To understand why Zello’s impact on Nairobi’s cab drivers is so revolutionary, it’s essential to look back at the history of organized labor. Unionism has always been about leverage, the power that comes from collective action. Historically, unions were birthed in industries where workers shared space and circumstance. Think of the Pullman Strike of 1894, where American railway workers, furious over wage cuts during an economic depression, walked off the job en masse, paralyzing the railroads until the federal government intervened. That strike not only demonstrated the disruptive potential of coordinated action but also exposed the vulnerabilities of workers in decentralized industries.
In Kenya, the legacy of Tom Mboya, a prominent labor leader and politician, serves as a noteworthy example. Mboya played a pivotal role in the formation of trade unions during the 1950s and 1960s, advocating for workers’ rights and better working conditions. His efforts helped unify various labor groups, allowing them to negotiate effectively with employers and the government. One of his significant achievements was the establishment of the East African Trade Union Congress, which united workers from different regions and industries, strengthening their collective bargaining power. Mboya’s legacy is a powerful testament to the impact of organized labor in achieving social and economic justice, showing that when workers come together, they can challenge the status quo and demand change.
But what Zello offers is a modern solution to a modern problem. Unlike the industrial factory workers of the past, Nairobi’s cab drivers are spread out; individually contracted, often operating in silos. Yet, like their predecessors, they face a common set of challenges: fluctuating pay rates set by cab platforms, the rising cost of living, and the constant risk of harassment or exploitation. The key difference? These drivers have found a way to organize without the physicality of a strike or the need for formal leadership structures.
Zello is not a union in the traditional sense. There are no elected leaders, no dues, no long-winded negotiations with companies. Instead, it’s an informal, decentralized network — one that thrives on real-time responses and instant coordination. But make no mistake: it embodies the very spirit of unionism.
Nairobi’s drivers aren’t the only gig workers who have turned to technology for collective action. Around the world, as the gig economy expands, workers are finding themselves outside the traditional protections of labor laws. In places like London, New York, and São Paulo, app-based gig workers (whether driving, delivering, or freelancing) are increasingly turning to platforms like Zello, WhatsApp, or Telegram to organize, share information, and protect their interests.
But in Nairobi, the scale and efficacy of Zello’s use are particularly remarkable. With over 50,000 drivers connected, this network is not only vast but also deeply intertwined. Drivers can switch between channels based on geography, type of request, or issue. Are you stuck on the edge of town with a mechanical problem? There’s a channel for that. Facing a hostile passenger in the middle of the night? Another channel is dedicated to that. Need help navigating a tricky financial issue with a cab platform? Someone in the network has likely dealt with it before.
This is unionism without the overhead, the red tape, or the bureaucracy. It’s fast, responsive, and hyper-localized. What started as a simple walkie-talkie app has become a sophisticated system for real-time labor organization, one that cab drivers have adapted to meet the unique challenges of their work.
So, what does this mean for the future of unionism? The cab drivers of Nairobi have provided a powerful case study in how workers in the gig economy can band together, not by striking or negotiating through official channels but by leveraging technology to create a digital union. This model could easily be replicated in other gig sectors, from delivery drivers to freelance workers.
As the gig economy grows, and with it, the challenges of worker isolation and exploitation, the Zello example offers a glimpse into the future of organized labor. What Nairobi’s drivers are doing isn’t just about making cab rides safer or more efficient. It’s about reimagining what it means to organize, to demand fairness, and to support one another in an increasingly fragmented world of work.
The spirit of unionism, of solidarity and collective action, remains as powerful as ever. And now, in the digital age, it’s evolving into something even more immediate, adaptable, and widespread.
The cab drivers of Nairobi may be the pioneers of this new frontier, but they won’t be the last.
