Increased visitor numbers and hosting of global conferences in the first six months of the years has seen top ride hailing drivers rake in up to Sh213,000 a month on average, new market data has shown.
Ride hailing platform Bolt, in its half year release shows that top 50 drivers in Kenya earned an average gross of Sh1,280,000 over the first six months of 2025.
This equates to an average monthly earning of Sh213,000, significantly higher than many other gig economy opportunities and white-collar jobs.
Bolt Kenya General Manager, Dimmy Kanyankole attributed the performance to growing demand for ride-hailing services in Kenya, driven by increased urban mobility needs.
“At Bolt, our primary focus is on creating meaningful economic opportunities for our driver partners. The latest earnings report shows that drivers who consistently engage on our platform can achieve strong financial returns. We remain committed to improving the driver experience and building a sustainable future for everyone in the gig economy,” said Kanyankole .
The performance comes on the back of a turbulent period last year that saw drivers raise concerns over rising fuel costs, high commission fees and growing competition among platforms.
The platform however says that incentive schemes and operational improvements have helped ensure a rewarding experience for its driver community.
Bolt says the Sh1.2 million average was calculated based on gross trip earnings, inclusive of bonuses and incentives provided to drivers who consistently maintain high ratings, actively accept ride requests and complete a high volume of trips.
“Driving with Bolt has been life-changing for me. I’ve been able to comfortably provide for my family, from paying school fees to covering daily needs. The flexibility to work on my own schedule while achieving real financial independence is something I truly value,” said Allan, one of the top-earning drivers.
Bolt says it has introduced measures such as driver reward programs, safety features, flexible working hours, and wellness initiatives aimed at improving driver welfare and service quality.
