By Joyce Zawadi Kifalu | 19 August 2026
Digital taxi drivers in Mombasa have given ride-hailing company Bolt a three-day ultimatum to reconsider its recently reduced fares, warning that they will mobilise a shutdown of the platform if their concerns are not addressed.
The drivers are particularly opposed to the introduction of a new basic category, which they say could allow customers to pay as little as Ksh220 for a trip.
Speaking on behalf of the drivers, Coast Digital Drivers Federation Chairman Thomas Were said the new pricing model is putting drivers under financial strain at a time when the cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance and other basic expenses continues to rise.
Were said the drivers had presented a memorandum outlining their concerns and warned that failure by Bolt to respond would force them to take further action.
The drivers are demanding the removal of the basic category in the Coast region and the adoption of a minimum fare structure. They are also seeking guaranteed compensation for waiting time and trip cancellations.
Among other demands, the drivers want Bolt to establish a clear and transparent process for driver deactivation and appeals. They are also calling for drivers to be involved in public participation before the company introduces new policies and operational guidelines.
The demands come after a consultative meeting between Bolt and the drivers, which the drivers claim did not provide satisfactory solutions to the issues they had raised.
Digital taxi driver James Oduor accused the company of failing to listen to drivers’ concerns, saying the current fares are forcing them to work for longer hours just to meet their daily expenses.
Oduor warned that the long working hours could expose both drivers and passengers to safety risks.
He also raised concerns over the lack of a physical Bolt office in Kenya, particularly in Mombasa, where drivers could directly present their complaints and seek immediate assistance.
The drivers further argued that the Coast region’s hot and humid weather makes air conditioning an important requirement for their vehicles, adding to their operating costs.
They also cited the region’s tourism-based economy, passenger patterns, vehicle maintenance expenses and the increasing cost of doing business as factors that should be considered when determining fares.
According to the drivers, some have taken loans of between Ksh1 million and Ksh2 million to acquire vehicles, with the taxi business serving as their main source of income for supporting their families.
They said the current fares make it difficult for them to repay their loans, maintain their vehicles and meet household needs.
The drivers have therefore given Bolt three days to review its pricing structure and address their grievances.
They have warned that if the company fails to act within the given period, they will mobilise drivers to shut down Bolt operations in Mombasa.
