67
Ride-hailing platform Bolt has revealed that its highest-earning drivers in Kenya grossed more than KSh1.2 million each in the first half of 2025, showing the growing profitability of gig work in the country’s expanding digital transport sector.
According to the company, its top 50 drivers made an average of KSh1.28 million between January and June, which translates to about KSh213,000 monthly. This figure is significantly higher than the typical salary of many white-collar workers in Kenya and highlights how the ride-hailing industry is reshaping income opportunities in urban centres.
The company explained that the reported earnings include trip payments, bonuses, and incentive schemes provided through the Bolt platform. It said strong demand for ride-hailing services in Nairobi and other cities has boosted earnings for its most active drivers.
General Manager of Bolt Kenya, Dimmy Kanyankole, said the figures reflected both the potential of gig work and the benefits of the company’s support programmes. “The latest earnings report shows that drivers who consistently engage on our platform can achieve strong financial returns,” he stated.
Bolt added that it has introduced various support initiatives to make driving more rewarding. These include driver loyalty incentives, safety support, and platform upgrades designed to make operations smoother and more efficient. The company noted that the combination of demand and structured support has allowed some drivers to achieve financial stability through the platform.
However, industry watchers point out that the disclosure only covers the highest earners and does not reveal the median or average income for the wider driver base. With rising fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, and regulatory fees, many drivers continue to face significant operational expenses. This has raised questions on how representative the KSh1.2 million benchmark is for most drivers.
Kenya’s e-hailing market has seen intense competition in recent years as global and regional players battle for customers and drivers. Bolt, which operates in more than 50 countries and has over 4.5 million drivers globally, has positioned itself as a major player in Kenya’s urban transport space. The platform offers thousands of drivers flexible working hours while providing affordable rides to millions of passengers.
The company also said that demand is rising in the corporate sector. Through its product, Bolt Business, it has been onboarding more firms that prefer structured mobility services for their employees. Bolt disclosed that its corporate offering recorded a 46% growth in Kenya this year, with more than 2,000 companies now using the service to manage staff transport. It said the product reduces reimbursement paperwork and provides safer, more reliable rides for employees.
The rise of platforms like Bolt has been linked to wider changes in Kenya’s economy, where digital services are playing a bigger role in employment and commerce. With unemployment remaining high, ride-hailing has become an alternative source of income for many people, particularly in urban areas. Some drivers view it as a full-time job, while others use it to supplement their income.
But the industry still faces challenges, including growing calls from driver unions and lobby groups for better profit-sharing models. Drivers have long argued that commission rates, fuel prices, and vehicle maintenance costs often erode their take-home earnings, despite reports of high gross incomes for top performers.
Bolt has assured that it will continue to review its operations and improve the platform to support drivers. The company maintains that ride-hailing remains one of the most promising opportunities in Kenya’s digital economy, particularly as cities expand and demand for fast, affordable, and safe transportation grows.
The revelation of driver earnings has drawn attention to the wider gig economy debate in Kenya and across Africa, where policymakers are exploring how to balance flexibility and opportunity with worker protection and fair income distribution.
