Kenya’s service market is booming or it could just be getting crowded as every day we hear of a new player launching with different value propositions for clients.
TaskGuru has launched in Nairobi to help you do the tasks you don’t have the time for. The online marketplace for local services in Kenya says it’s in the business of organizing and auctioning tedious and time-consuming chores from clients who just do not have the time to complete these tasks due to various reasons.
TaskGuru is a direct competition to sites such as Taskwetu, Isamado, KibaruaNow (which is shutting down anyway) and slightly Kuhustle. The firm says it connects clients and service providers to negotiate tasks online. Tasks include programming, software engineering, lawn mowing, print design, pet care, wedding photography, web development, appliance installation, house sitting, creating online accounts, digital marketing among others.
It’s now targeting everyone including college students and certified professionals and registered companies to sign up for accounts then bid for some of these tasks. Users post their tasks then receive competitive proposals and quotations from their database of task gurus to compare the cost and quality and as well discuss the finer details of the task.
“Nearly every person needs someone to execute personal tasks when they are physically unable to do them. This prompted us to include errand services aimed at helping people who work eight or more hours daily with certain tasks needed to be done at specific locations,” the firm says.
The platform is integrated with Google Maps to help task gurus easily navigate to designated locations to do tasks such as dry cleaning, pick up prescriptions, and as well as do professional jobs such as software engineering and design.
To reduce fraud and sign up only serious users, TaskGuru uses national IDs and KRA PIN records to identify its users for trustworthy legitimate business.
“When we talk about professionalism, a lot comes into play. We as TaskGuru Corporation had to take these measures in dealing with any potential risk that might affect our relationship with our esteemed clients and this was the perfect one to implement. To have the general public on our platform, we would need to collect lots of data and do massive background checks and such a move would accrue a huge budget and time-consuming efforts on our hands. For now, we would rather avoid it,” the firm adds.
With competitive bidding on the site, the firm says its clients get better value for their money. Task Guru’s sign up to the platform for free then list their skills set and when a client wants a similar service, he or she invite them via email or SMS. In the case of a public bid, the successful task guru is also invited by email or SMS. After the task is done. Task Guru earns 8.5% of the total amount paid to the task guru.
The firm comprising of Indians, Americans and Kenyans is now building an Android and iOS app for users in the Kenyan market.
