Bolt has rolled out a new in-app safety feature in Kenya that empowers its driver partners to flag areas they perceive as high-risk, backed by data-driven verification and advisory alerts. The move was announced in 25 February 2026 and is designed to give drivers greater awareness and autonomy when deciding which trip requests to accept, without facing penalties for declining potentially unsafe rides.
Under the new system, drivers can submit specific locations where they have experienced or anticipate safety threats, whether due to crime, poor lighting, congestion or other hazards. Bolt’s internal safety team reviews these submissions using aggregated trip data, historical safety reports and platform risk indicators before any location is marked in the app.
Once a location is verified as high risk, drivers receive an in-app alert when a trip request is destined for that area. Crucially, drivers who choose not to accept those requests will not suffer penalties, suspension or drops in their driver ratings. The launch indicates a significant departure from usual automated acceptance expectations on ride-hailing platforms.
According to Bolt’s Senior General Manager for East Africa, Dimmy Kanyankole, the feature is a direct response to feedback from drivers who have repeatedly voiced concerns about safety when servicing trips to certain parts of Kenya’s cities and towns.
Safety remains at the core of our business,” he said, explaining that the platform seeks to support drivers’ wellbeing and confidence when making trip decisions. “Our driver partners are the backbone of our platform, and this enhancement gives them greater awareness and the confidence to make informed decisions without fear of penalties.
~ Bolt’s Senior General Manager for East Africa, Dimmy Kanyankole
Bolt has emphasised that mapped high-risk areas are chosen on the basis of verified safety data and multiple reports, not on arbitrary or discriminatory factors such as demographics or socioeconomic status. Each flagged location undergoes a structured review and can be updated or removed as conditions change, ensuring the system remains responsive to real-world conditions on the ground.
The feature does not block riders from requesting trips to designated areas, nor does it restrict drivers from accepting them. Instead, it functions as an advisory tool raising awareness while preserving access and choice for both drivers and riders.
Bolt is positioning the development as part of its broader safety ecosystem, which already includes real-time trip tracking, in-app emergency assistance features, two-way rating systems and 24/7 safety support.
Industry observers say the introduction of high-risk location alerts reflects the real safety challenges e-hailing drivers face in Kenya’s urban centres, where uneven infrastructure, crime hotspots and unpredictable environments can make certain journeys more perilous than others.
Drivers and ride-hail partners have long shared anecdotes through forums, social media and community groups about personal safety threats, late-night trip anxieties and the pressure to complete requests even in unfamiliar or risky areas. While not all incidents are documented formally, these concerns have been persistent enough to prompt platforms like Bolt to innovate.
For many drivers, the ability to decline a ride to a high-risk location without consequences could significantly reduce exposure to danger and improve overall job satisfaction. For riders, the feature may translate into more reliable service, as drivers are less likely to feel forced into uncomfortable or unsafe situations simply to protect their platform standing.
As digital mobility services continue to expand across Kenya, features like these prioritising safety alongside convenience are likely to become key differentiators for platforms seeking to balance rapid growth with sustainable, secure work environments.
