Nairobi, July 7 -- The Ministry of Roads and Transport has introduced a new minimum compensation per trip for drivers of ride-hailing taxis and motorcycles, triggering a standoff with host platforms amid concerns about a sharp rise in fares.

Official correspondence seen by the Business Daily shows that the ministry is at the tail-end of gazetting the new regulations, which insiders said would nearly double the current base passenger fares of about Sh220.

In a letter to the 18 ride-hailing platforms, the Principal Secretary for Transport Paul King'ori set a July 6 deadline for public participation of the planned minimum pay, with the companies required to suggest their rates.

"In compliance with Article 10 of the Constitution of Kenya o...