Kenya’s transport regulators have mandated leading ride-hailing platforms Uber and Bolt to increase fares by 50%, responding to persistent driver protests over inadequate pay and alleged exploitative practices. The directive from the Ministry of Roads and Transport instructs ride-hailing companies to immediately adopt the Automobile Association of Kenya (AAK) fare guidelines.

AAK Fare Guidelines: Key Changes

The updated AAK recommendations will see per-kilometre rates rise significantly:

• Small engines (≤1050cc): From Sh22 to Sh33.1 — a 50.4% increase
• Medium engines (1051–1300cc): From Sh26 to Sh36.8 — a 41.5% increase

Yahya Ahmed, Head of Licensing at the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), noted that these guidelines were shared with ride-hailing companies in 2023 but enforcement was delayed due to regulatory gaps.

Paul King’ori, Director of Road and Railways Transport, representing Transport CS Davis Chirchir, gave Uber and Bolt seven days to submit plans detailing how they will implement the fare increases.

Drivers’ Longstanding Calls for Fair Compensation

Ride-hailing drivers in Kenya have repeatedly demanded higher fares and better working conditions. Protests in July 2024 highlighted issues such as:

• Excessive commission charges
• Insufficient fare rates
• Non-enforcement of the minimum Ksh 300 per trip as required by law

A driver explained that high platform commissions combined with rising fuel costs leave them with minimal earnings. Some even threatened to bypass app platforms to set fares independently if their concerns were ignored.

Bolt’s Previous Increase Fell Short

In August 2024, Bolt implemented a 10% fare rise, increasing the Economy category base fare from Ksh 200 to Ksh 220.

Linda Ndungu, Bolt’s General Manager for Rides, stated: “This fare adjustment acknowledges the value our drivers bring to the platform.”

Nevertheless, drivers argued that the modest increase was insufficient and still fell short of covering operational costs or meeting recommended minimums.

Transport Union to Challenge Uber and Bolt Over ‘Digital Slavery’

In late 2025, the Transport Workers Union of Kenya (TAWU) announced intentions to petition against Uber and Bolt over:

• Unfair labour practices
• Exploitative digital working conditions
• Violation of constitutional workers’ rights

Nicholas Ogolla, TAWU’s General Secretary, told Technext that both companies are deducting commissions above the legally capped 18%, which he described as “digital slavery”, asserting that drivers bear operational costs while companies maximize profits.

Implications and Next Steps

The 50% fare increase represents one of the most significant regulatory interventions in Kenya’s ride-hailing sector. If successfully enforced, it could:

• Boost drivers’ earnings
• Improve transparency in fare structures
• Lead to higher fares for passengers
• Set a precedent for regulating digital labour across Africa

Uber and Bolt now have seven days to outline how they will implement the new fares. The coming weeks will reveal whether Kenya’s drivers finally achieve fair compensation or if tensions escalate further.