Ride-hailing firm, Bolt has introduced a new safety feature in Kenya, allowing drivers to flag and receive warnings about destinations they perceive as dangerous.
Under the new system, drivers can suggest specific areas where they have previously encountered safety concerns or anticipate potential risks.
However, Bolt clarified that these submissions are not immediately blacklisted; instead, they undergo a rigorous review by the company’s safety team.
This process involves analysing aggregated trip data, historical safety reports, and internal platform risk indicators before any location is officially mapped as “high-risk.”
Once a destination is verified and mapped within the app, drivers will receive a clear notification if a trip request involves that specific area.
Crucially, the firm has guaranteed that drivers who choose to decline these journeys will not face any repercussions.
“Drivers who choose to decline such trips will not face penalties, temporary suspensions or rating reductions,” the company stated, addressing a long-standing concern among gig-economy workers regarding forced acceptance rates.
A data-driven approach
Despite the introduction of these zones, Bolt was keen to distance the feature from any form of social profiling.
The company emphasised that the tool is grounded strictly in safety-related data and verified incidents, rather than the “demographic or socioeconomic characteristics” of a neighbourhood.
Furthermore, the system is designed to be collaborative rather than restrictive. Consequently:
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No automatic labelling: Locations are not flagged based on a single report.
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Advisory only: The feature does not block riders from requesting trips or prevent drivers from accepting them.
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Driver autonomy: It acts as an advisory tool to help drivers make informed choices while maintaining platform access.
Strengthening driver trust
Dimmy Kanyankole, Senior General Manager for East Africa at Bolt, noted that the enhancement was a direct result of feedback from drivers seeking more visibility and autonomy.
“Safety is at the core of our business. 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,” Mr Kanyankole said. “It is about empowering drivers while strengthening trust across the platform.”
Victor Njuguna, a Bolt driver in Utawala-Nairobi has lauded the new feature stating that it will enhance his safety and that of his colleagues who work night shift.
“This is a plus for us as a times we go to new destinations using the map. During the night we are now able to know if the destination area is safe,” Mr Njuguna said.
This rollout is the latest addition to Bolt’s existing safety ecosystem, which already includes real-time trip tracking, 24/7 support, and in-app emergency assistance.
By integrating driver-led intelligence into its mapping, the firm aims to bolster security in one of its most active African markets.