Bolt brings dash cam app to Kenya as drivers demand more safety

When Bolt first entered Kenya, it promised to make ride-hailing easier and cheaper. But over the years, its drivers have faced rising safety concerns. Complaints about harassment, theft, and attacks pushed the company to take stronger action. Now, Bolt has introduced a dash cam app in Kenya to rebuild trust on both sides of the platform.

The new feature uses a driver’s smartphone camera to record video during trips. It stores the footage securely, so that drivers and riders are protected in case of disputes or incidents. Unlike installing physical cameras, which are costly and hard to maintain, the function can be switched on with just a tap. Bolt says the tool is designed to be simple, affordable, and effective.

This step follows earlier measures from the company. Last year, Bolt added an SOS button in Kenya that connects drivers and riders to emergency help. More recently, it rolled out FamilyProfile in some markets like Nigeria (hyperlink Nigeria), allowing loved ones to track rides and set spending limits. In South Africa, Bolt has been testing electric motorcycles with flexible payment options to help drivers save money.

Competition is also shaping these changes. Uber has experimented with in-car recording features in some regions, while smaller players in Africa have leaned on safety guarantees to win new customers. For Bolt, matching and sometimes surpassing these measures is key to keeping drivers loyal and riders comfortable.

Kenya is one of Bolt’s most active markets in Africa, and the company knows that solving safety concerns is essential for long-term growth. With this feature, Bolt is using technology to restore peace of mind on the road.

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