Ride-hailing platform Bolt has increased its fares in Kenya by 6%, citing the sustained pressure of rising fuel costs on its driver partners. The company made the announcement on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, framing the adjustment as a practical measure to protect driver incomes while keeping the service running smoothly for passengers across the country.
The fare hike comes on the back of the latest pricing update from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). Since April 16, 2026, Nairobi motorists have been paying Sh197.60 per litre for super petrol, Sh196.63 for diesel, and Sh152.78 for kerosene – rates that remain in place until EPRA’s next monthly review on Thursday, May 14.
For drivers who spend long hours behind the wheel, those figures add up quickly, and Bolt says the feedback from its driver network made the need for a fare adjustment impossible to ignore.
Balancing Driver Needs and Passenger Affordability
Dimmy Kanyankole, Senior General Manager for Rides in East Africa, says the 6% increase was carefully calibrated to serve both sides of the platform without tipping the balance too far in either direction.
“Our driver partners are at the heart of our platform, and their ability to earn sustainably is critical to the entire ecosystem. 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,” Kanyankole said.
The logic behind the move extends beyond driver welfare alone. Kanyankole argues that when drivers earn fairly, the entire platform benefits; more drivers stay active, vehicles become more widely available, and passengers spend less time waiting for a ride.
“Better-paid drivers mean more drivers on the roads, leading to shorter wait times, improved service quality, and a more consistent rider experience,” he added.
A Deliberate, Ecosystem-Wide Approach
Before settling on the new pricing structure, Bolt says it engaged directly with its driver community to understand the real economic pressures on the ground. The company wanted to move beyond a quick fix and instead land on a solution that keeps operations sustainable for drivers, passengers, and the platform alike.
Kanyankole described the process as deliberate and thoughtful, designed to ensure the changes deliver meaningful benefits across the board rather than simply shifting the burden from one group to another.
With the fare adjustment now in effect, Bolt expects higher vehicle availability and more consistent service delivery across Kenya. For commuters, that could mean shorter waits and a more reliable daily ride even as the cost of getting around edges significantly higher.
EPRA’s next fuel price review lands on May 14, and its outcome could shape whether Bolt and other ride-hailing platforms face further pressure to revisit their pricing in the weeks ahead.
