In October 2021, Nopea Ride, Kenya’s electric taxi fleet service, opened a new EV charging hub at Village Market in the capital Nairobi, underpinning the growing demand for electric mobility in the East African state.
In January, the Finnish electric cab firm had announced it planned to triple its fleet in Nairobi, helping reduce emissions from the populous city’s notorious traffic. EkoRent, the parent company of Nopea, is planning to have about 1,500 EVs in its ecosystem by the end of 2021.
The electric fleet is giving Nopea a competitive edge over the gasoline vehicles that dominate the market.
“To ensure we not only offer environmentally friendly but also wallet-friendly rides, we benchmark our prices regularly with other similar vehicles (size and quality) in Nairobi,” it says on its website.
Electric cars and shared mobility concepts are starting to disrupt Africa’s taxi industry. Just a few years after cab-hailing apps upended the market and made city transportation cheaper and safer, they’re now about to get greener.
Unlike Uber, Bolt and LittleCab, Nopea cars are owned and operated by the company, with the revenues split 75 percent (to the driver) and 25 percent (to Nopea) on all NopeaRide trips.
Drivers in the company’s ecosystem also don’t pay for electricity at Nopea charging stations.
EkoRent’s other offering, Nopea Xpress, became the first delivery service with a 100 per cent electric vehicle fleet in Africa, allowing sending packets emissions-free.
Troubles in the office
In March 2021 there were allegations of financial impropriety and sexual harassment at the Nopea offices.
Juha Soujasen, who is a co-director at the firm is said to have orchestrated the suspension of his partner after he raised questions about financial impropriety and indecent acts at the firm.
Mr Soujasen was accused of stealing the firm from the Kenyan co-founder and in turn trying to tarnish the reputation of his co-director.
This is seen by how his co-director responded as below:
“I am aware that my co director Mr Juha Suojanen has orchestrated false, malicious and libellous communication to you to the effect that I have been relieved of my role as Country Director for EkoRent Africa because of underperforming and “stealing company money” among other allegations”, stated the email in part (full email shared below).
In another accusation, an employee who did not wish to be named stated that he was sexually assaulted by the firm’s director.
Sources say the sexual impropriety involved unnatural acts.
“Early last week I requested the Investment and Management Board of EkoRent Africa Limited to investigate Juha’s role on potential financial impropriety and unethical behavior”, the email written in March stated in part.
The abused staff had mentioned Juha Suojanen name and had been threatened not to report the indecent act. However, a report had been made at Kasarani Police Station.
A screenshot from a Whatsapp message, which Kenyan Business Feed has seen, show Soujasen asking police to ‘…beat the shit out of him (the sexually abused staff)’.
Full email of wrangles at Nopea
I am aware that my co director Mr Juha Suojanen has orchestrated false, malicious and libellous communication to you to the effect that I have been relieved of my role as Country Director for EkoRent Africa because of underperforming and “stealing company money” among other allegations. Nothing could be further from the truth.
This matter has been filed in court by my advocate. Early last week I requested the Investment and Management Board of EkoRent Africa Limited to investigate Juha’s role on potential financial impropriety and unethical behavior.
The Board is yet to give direction on this matter. I am a founding director of EkoRent Africa Limited and will remain a director of the company until such a time that we shall part ways which has not happened, and such parting ways if it ever happens cannot be on the basis of underperformance, financial or other moral impropriety.
I am a man with solid character credentials. I am alive to the effect of the false and malicious communication to my character and reputation which I have built over the years on the back of hard work and great sacrifice.
I will not allow my character to be besmirched and destroyed by malicious self seekers. Be notified that I will not be responsible for any commitments made to you by Mr Juha Suojanen on behalf of the company.
Regards.
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