Editor's Review

NTSA had warned Bolt Kenya that it would not renew its license unless drivers' complaints were addressed.

The National Transport and Safety Authority has renewed the operating license of the ride-hailing app Bolt Kenya. 

Bolt on Monday received a certificate of license giving the company a clean bill of health to conduct transport operations in the country. 

"This is to certify that Bolt Operation OU of Plot No. L.R. NO: 209/22216 has been duly licensed by the National Transport and Safety Authority under license No. NTSA/TNC/2023/004 to conduct transport network business in Kenya pursuant to and in accordance with the provision of the National Transport and Safety Authority(Transport Network Companies, Owners, Drivers, and Passengers) Regulations, 2022," the Certificate of Licence dated October 30, stated.

The issuance of a certificate to the company comes after days of speculation considering that NTSA had earlier rejected to renew the license. 

A letter seen by Nairobi Leo earlier in the month showed that Bolt Kenya had been instructed to address concerns from drivers to have its license renewed. 

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Drivers are said to have complained of low fares being charged despite the rising cost of fuel.

The app is said to have maintained the rates being charged despite the operating costs going up. 

Services at NTSA offices. PHOTO | COURTESY

However, the company day later adjusted the rates and increased the fares charged.

The base fare was increased by between Sh70 and Sh100 across the economy, base, boda, and XL categories.

The minimum fare was also increased, with a range of Sh200 and Sh250 across the categories.

The firm has also increased per-kilometer pricing and introduced a long-distance rate.

Bolt country manager Linda Ndungu said the move was to cushion drivers against the operating costs that have recently increased.

“As such, we have adjusted our pricing to mitigate the rising fuel costs. This adjustment reaffirms our commitment to offering top earnings for drivers on our platform, and to remain the preferred, cost-effective choice for our customers.”