Bolt Comfort records strong growth in Kenya as more passengers opt for higher-tier rides
Bolt says its Comfort ride category in Kenya has recorded more than sixfold growth in ride volume over the past year, as demand for higher-tier transport expands in Nairobi and Mombasa.
The company also reports that monthly passenger numbers have grown more than fivefold, while the number of drivers offering Comfort trips has nearly tripled since the service launched in June 2025. Bolt says the category has reached its highest monthly ride volume since its introduction, although it has not disclosed the absolute number of rides or passengers.
Bolt expands Comfort service beyond Nairobi
Comfort initially launched in selected areas of Nairobi, offering passengers more space, newer vehicles and highly rated drivers. The category has since expanded across Nairobi and was introduced in Mombasa in May 2026, marking its first rollout outside the capital.
The Mombasa launch forms part of Bolt’s broader expansion of mobility services in the coastal city. The company has also added tuk-tuks to its platform and expanded its Send parcel delivery service to include motorbikes, giving it a wider range of transport and delivery options in the market.
Bolt’s original Comfort launch in June 2025 included a target of more than 1,000 vehicles. At the time, the company positioned the category as a higher-quality option that remained accessible compared with other premium ride services. The current announcement does not confirm whether the initial fleet target has been reached.
More drivers help improve pickup times
Bolt says the number of drivers offering Comfort trips has nearly tripled since the category was introduced. The company attributes an estimated 18% year-on-year improvement in passenger pickup times to the larger pool of available vehicles, which has reduced the distance between drivers and passengers.
Comfort drivers must maintain a minimum rating of 4.8 and meet other service requirements. Their vehicles undergo physical inspections against a Bolt checklist through a partnership with a Kenyan automobile inspection provider, while qualifying drivers receive a subsidy covering part of the inspection cost. Vehicles are also re-inspected regularly.
The category has maintained an average passenger rating of about 4.9 out of five over the past year, according to Bolt. The company says the figures reflect demand for different ride options, with passengers choosing services based on their space, vehicle and service preferences.
“What this year has shown us is that passengers aren’t just looking for a ride, they’re looking for the right ride for their needs,” said Dimmy Kanyankole, Bolt’s Senior General Manager for Rides in East Africa.
Comfort growth comes as Bolt broadens its Kenya operations
The growth in Comfort rides comes as Bolt marks a decade of operations in Kenya. The company says it has invested more than KSh19 billion in the country since entering the market in 2016, connecting more than 8 million riders and creating income opportunities for more than 170,000 drivers and couriers.
Bolt has also expanded its services to six regions and 19 towns, according to figures shared for its 10-year milestone. Its wider Kenyan operations include ride-hailing, courier services, motorcycle transport and initiatives linked to vehicle financing, insurance and electric mobility.
The company has not disclosed how much revenue Comfort generates, its share of Bolt’s total Kenyan rides, or the average fare difference between Comfort and standard ride categories. The reported growth therefore provides a measure of the category’s performance within Bolt’s platform, rather than a direct measure of the wider premium ride-hailing market in Kenya.
For now, the clearest development is the expansion of a service that began as a targeted Nairobi offering and has grown into a larger ride category with a broader driver network and a presence in Mombasa.
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