If you’re an active Kenyan on Twitter you’ve probably seen the #DeleteBoltApp hashtag trending since Friday morning. This is after a video of a Bolt driver being assaulted by three skimpily-dressed female riders went viral on social media last week.
In the video, three riders are seen hurling insults at the Bolt driver Kelvin Kitonga and even going ahead to stone his car. The incident is said to have happened on September 10th.
Speaking to tv47, Kelvin said at exactly 9: 47pm, he received a ride-request outside Black Diamond in Westlands from the riders who were heading to a nightclub in La Viva Spur Mall.
‘’The female passengers hopped into the back seat and immediately started making out noisily,’’ he told tv47.
An argument ensued, forcing Kelvin to cancel the end the trip from the Bolt application and went ahead to report the matter to Parklands police station.
Bolt has gone ahead and suspended Kelvin’s account in the wake of the incident and this is what most users using the app are against’
‘’These Ladies assaulted a Bolt Driver on camera, We all expected them to suspend those ladies from using their app, but instead, wamefukuza dere.’’ A Twitter user, @Lazooj said.
Below are some more reactions from Bolt users.
So instead of @Boltapp_ke helping the driver who was attacked by drunk ladies, they went ahead and suspended his account.
— Sir-Rap-A-Lot (@Osama_otero) September 17, 2021
A guy gets assulted then @Boltapp_ke suspends him? What type of reasoning is that surely?
— Certified Chelsea Queen ? (@itswanjirumuya) September 17, 2021
While #deleteboltapp is a justified response.
Are you hurting other drivers who won't earn a living today? if yes, doesn't that make you as bad as the villain you are fighting?
Suggestion – Maybe demand for the driver’s account to be reinstated or you delete the app in 7 days?
— Sam Gichuru ❤️ (@SamGichuru) September 17, 2021
Bolt has not issued an official statement about the incident yet.
In October last year, the company announced some new security updates on its app to prevent such incidences from happening.
Bolt made some upgrades on its SOS emergency button, embedded with emergency tracking options and improved auto location trailing features for security purposes. Bolt has also included a single tap booking and cancelling feature and re-enforced its 24/7 in-app customer support services to improve customer experience.
To further bolster ride safety, Bolt has also strengthened its drivers screening processes and is closely monitoring drivers for criminal offences in real-time, conducting periodic inspection of their vehicles and also providing them with safety training on how to recognize, avoid, or calm potentially violent situations.
Most users however feel the company is not doing enough to protect its users, especially drivers.
Bolt should just read the story of Brian Banks and how lives can be destroyed when you believe one side without following facts #DeleteBoltApp
— Ben (@mugoh_ben) September 17, 2021
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