NAIROBI, Kenya— Bolt Kenya has moved swiftly to calm fears among drivers and customers after a viral letter claimed the ride-hailing company was preparing to shut down its operations in the country.
The company has categorically denied the claims, describing the widely circulated document as fake and assuring stakeholders that its services remain fully operational.
The clarification comes after the alleged notice spread rapidly across social media platforms, triggering speculation that one of Kenya’s largest ride-hailing firms was preparing to exit the market.
Bolt says closure letter is fake
In a statement issued on June 1, Bolt Senior General Manager for East Africa, Dimmy Kanyankole, dismissed the document purporting to announce the company’s closure from June 8.
“We wish to categorically state that this document is FAKE and did not originate from Bolt Kenya or any of its authorised representatives,” Kanyankole said.
The fake letter had been addressed to drivers and customers, prompting concern among thousands of people who rely on the platform for transport services and income generation.
Bolt reiterated that there are no plans to shut down or scale back operations in Kenya.
“We would like to reassure our community that Bolt continues to operate normally in Kenya and remains focused on delivering safe, reliable, and innovative services while creating economic opportunities across the country,” the company said.
Investigation launched into source of misinformation
The company has launched investigations to establish who created and circulated the fabricated document.
According to Bolt, appropriate action will be taken against individuals responsible for spreading misleading information that falsely represents the company.
“We are currently investigating the source of the fabricated document and will take appropriate action against the creation and dissemination of misleading information that misrepresents the company,” Bolt stated.
The firm has urged drivers, customers and members of the public to disregard the document entirely and avoid sharing it further.
Bolt continues investing in Kenya
The reassurance comes as Bolt continues expanding its presence in Kenya, where it remains one of the country’s leading ride-hailing platforms.
The company serves thousands of customers daily while providing income opportunities to drivers, riders and delivery partners across multiple towns and cities.
Beyond ride-hailing services, Bolt says it is continuing to invest in sustainable transport initiatives, including the expansion of its electric mobility programme.
Already, the company has enrolled more than 1,700 electric motorcycles as part of efforts to grow its boda boda and delivery operations while promoting cleaner transport solutions.
The latest clarification is likely to reassure drivers and customers who had expressed concerns online following the circulation of the fake notice.
For now, Bolt says business continues as usual and has advised stakeholders to rely only on official company communication channels for verified information and updates.
