Bolt Kenya Records 46% Drop in Offline Trips in Last 6 Months

Bolt Kenya has announced a 46% reduction in offline (off-app) trips across its platform.

In a statement on April 9, 2025, Dimmy Kanyankole, Bolt General Manager in Kenya and Tanzania, said the decline recorded over the past six months is a clear indicator of growing compliance with Bolt’s platform safety measures and a positive shift toward safer ride-hailing practices in the country.

Bolt implemented a series of enhanced safety measures designed to protect passengers and drivers.

Kanyankole has attributed the drop to a combination of strict enforcement, including more consistent, proactive identification and action against offline behavior and security measures aimed at discouraging off-platform transactions.

This practice circumvents in-app safety features such as GPS tracking, rider and driver identification, and emergency support.

“This decline in offline trips signals a major shift toward safer, more accountable ride-hailing behavior in the market,” Kanyankole said.

“It reflects the impact of our work behind the scenes to protect passengers and drivers and to ensure the integrity of every trip on our platform.”

Bolt has deployed initiatives to drive this change, including a zero-tolerance policy on off-app trip violations, real-time ride monitoring, and an automated system that flags suspicious activity.

The company has also scaled its driver training programs and launched educational campaigns to inform both drivers and passengers of the risks associated with taking trips outside the app.

Also Read: Bolt Food Partners with 250 Restaurants in Nairobi as Demand Surges

Bolt Kenya Raises Concern Over Offline Trips

Kanyankole explained that offline trips remain a concern across the ride-hailing industry, particularly due to the safety risks they present when trips are not tracked, verified, or protected by platform policies.

Bolt Kenya said it is reinforcing its commitment to building a secure and trusted transportation network in Kenya by reducing the prevalence of these trips.

“Safety is not just a feature; it’s a culture we’re building across the platform, trip by trip,” Kanyankole added.

“While we are proud of this progress, we recognize that more work lies ahead. We will continue to collaborate with industry stakeholders, regulators, and the public to raise safety standards across the board.”

Also Read: Bolt Issues Directive on Offline Trips During Festive Season

Message to Passengers

He urged passengers to always book their rides through the app and to avoid accepting offline trips, even if requested by a driver.

According to Kanyankole, using the app ensures access to key safety features such as live trip tracking, driver ratings, in-app SOS alerts, and 24/7 customer support.

Bolt Kenya has also reaffirmed its commitment to investing in technology and partnerships that strengthen safety and accountability across the ride-hailing industry.

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