Bolt hikes Kenya ride fares by 6% as fuel prices squeeze drivers

Estonian ride-hailing company Bolt has increased ride fares in Kenya by 6 per cent, becoming one of the first major platforms in the country to formally shift part of the rising fuel burden to passengers as pressure mounts on drivers’ earnings.

• Bolt has increased ride fares in Kenya by 6 per cent following sharp fuel price increases.
• The company said the move is aimed at cushioning drivers facing rising operating expenses.
• Kenya’s ride-hailing sector has faced mounting pressure from inflation, fuel costs, and driver protests.
• The increase signals a broader shift across African transport markets as operators pass higher costs to consumers.

The company said the fare adjustment followed sustained complaints from drivers over rising operating costs, particularly after Kenya’s latest fuel price review pushed petrol prices in Nairobi close to KES 200 ($1.53) per litre.

The increase highlights the growing strain across Kenya’s ride-hailing sector, where drivers say inflation, fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, financing repayments, and platform commissions are eroding already-thin margins.

Kenya is one of Africa’s biggest ride-hailing markets, with platforms including Uber, Bolt and Little competing for millions of users in Nairobi and other major cities.

In April, Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority raised petrol prices in Nairobi to KES 197.60 ($1.53)per litre and diesel to KES 196.63 ($1.52), following higher global oil landing costs and supply disruptions.

The increases briefly pushed pump prices above KES 206 ($1.60) before government measures eased some of the pressure.

“This fare adjustment is part of a broader effort to respond meaningfully to their concerns, particularly around fuel prices, while ensuring that our service remains accessible and dependable for riders,” said Dimmy Kanyankole, Bolt’s senior general manager for rides in East Africa.

“The 6 per cent increment ensures that riders continue to enjoy some of the most competitive fares in the market.”

The company said better driver earnings could help improve service reliability by keeping more drivers active on the platform, reducing waiting times and improving ride availability.

The fare review comes after months of tension between ride-hailing drivers and digital platforms in Kenya.

Drivers have repeatedly threatened strikes and staged protests over low pay, arguing that current pricing models no longer reflect the realities of operating in a high-cost environment.

Many drivers operate across multiple apps simultaneously, switching between platforms depending on demand patterns, incentives, and surge pricing opportunities.

The latest adjustment also reflects a broader trend across African transport markets, where rising fuel and energy costs are steadily feeding into consumer prices.

Across the continent, transport operators have increasingly revised fares upward as governments reduce fuel subsidies and currencies weaken against the dollar, making imported fuel more expensive.

For consumers in Kenya, the increase adds to wider cost-of-living pressures that have pushed up household spending on food, electricity, transport, and housing over the past two years.

For ride-hailing firms, however, the decision underscores the difficult balance between keeping rides affordable for users while maintaining enough incentives to retain drivers in an increasingly competitive market.

Bolt said it is considering additional measures to improve driver earnings and platform efficiency, including operational upgrades and continued engagement with drivers.

“We understand that price changes affect both drivers and riders, and we have taken a thoughtful approach to ensure that this adjustment supports the sustainability of our platform for everyone,” Kanyankole added.