Bolt has begun equipping its ride-hail cars in Kenya with a smartphone dash-cam app. It records both the road ahead and the cabin, aiming to resolve disagreements with clear footage.
The app comes via a tie-up with Driver Technologies. Bolt said footage will be available to its support team and, when needed, to police or insurers. Drivers get the first month free, then a 75 per cent discount.
Dimmy Kanyankole, Bolt Rides’ general manager, told Business Daily that drivers had long asked for a way to document trips, but the cost of traditional dash-cams proved a deterrent. “Dash-cams bring peace of mind,” he said, “but reliable devices have been too expensive.” The app offer, he said, “improves safety, supports fair incident handling and builds trust between drivers and passengers, at lower cost.”
Bolt sees multiple benefits. In disputes or accidents, recorded footage should help clarify what occurred whether for its support team, law enforcement, or an insurer. Installation is optional, but the firm believes it’s in drivers’ best interests when tensions arise over competing stories.
Driver views
Some drivers have welcomed the change. The discount lowers the barrier to protection. Knowing a journey is recorded may make both sides think twice before making false claims a quiet deterrent.
Still, a few drivers worry. One voiced fears that constant recording might feel intrusive or affect rider comfort especially if passengers know they are being filmed.
Passenger views
Some passengers say they feel safer when a trip is recorded. “If there’s footage, I know both sides should be honest,” said one frequent rider. But others remain uneasy, worrying about privacy in the cabin even if law enforcement or insurers only access footage in serious cases.
Balancing safety and privacy
Bolt is walking a tightrope between security and discretion. Its plan keeps the recordings accessible only to customer support and when needed, the police or insurers. That should ease privacy concerns provided data is managed well.
Broader context
Kenya’s roads face persistent safety threats. According to NTSA, more than 3,500 people died in traffic crashes between June 2024 and March 2025 a 10 per cent rise from the year before.Though Bolt is not a traffic camera service, a dash-cam app could add a layer of protection for drivers and riders alike.
Bolt is also taking action on another front. Recently, police in Kayole arrested suspects accused of staging rides via the Bolt platform before assaulting and robbing riders. Authorities have warned drivers to stay alert the dash-cam may help deter such schemes.
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