15/08/2026
BOLT, THIS IS THE KIND OF MOVE WE WANT TO SEE!
OCDNKE will always applaud and support any genuine effort that improves the working environment for online cab drivers.
The designated Bolt parking area at SGR Terminal is a good initiative. 👏🏾 It shows that when platforms, facilities and drivers work together, practical solutions are possible.
But here's the bigger question:
WHEN ARE WE GETTING DESIGNATED DRIVER SPACES IN NAIROBI CBD, JKIA, MAJOR MALLS AND OTHER HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS?
In Nairobi CBD, drivers are constantly caught between passengers demanding convenient pick-ups and authorities enforcing restrictions.
A driver can be harassed by county officers, traffic officers, security personnel or even individuals claiming ownership of particular parking or pick-up areas.
Sometimes the driver is simply trying to pick up or drop off a passenger... and ends up facing fines, penalties, confrontation or unnecessary delays.
Drivers need designated, recognised and safe pick-up/drop-off zones.
And Bolt, while you're making progress on infrastructure, we also need you to look at driver policies.
ACCEPTANCE RATE & DRIVER SCORES NEED A RETHINK.
A driver's acceptance rate or score should not automatically become a weapon for suspension when there may be a legitimate reason behind a rejected or cancelled trip.
Consider this:
A driver arrives and discovers that the passenger has requested transport for more people than the vehicle can legally carry.
-A passenger wants to send a minor alone.
-A passenger is heavily intoxicated or critically unwell.
-A passenger cancels after the driver has already travelled to the pick-up point.
-The passenger's stated pick-up point is inside an inaccessible estate, restricted area or impossible road.
-A driver reaches the location but discovers a genuine safety or logistical problem.
In such situations, why should the driver automatically be punished?
AND HERE'S ANOTHER ONE…
A driver gets a trip that is 7km away, worth KSh 180, potentially requiring a long drive through a rough or inaccessible road.
If the driver declines it because the trip simply doesn't make economic or practical sense, should that automatically damage their acceptance rate?
Drivers aren't machines.
Every rejected or cancelled trip has a story.
Instead of simply asking “Did the driver accept?” or “Did the driver cancel?”, platforms should also ask:
“WHY?”
That simple question could make the system much fairer.
We are not asking platforms to ignore genuine driver misconduct.
We are asking for the system to distinguish between misconduct and legitimate driver decisions.
Use warnings, verification, explanations, appeals and progressive measures where appropriate... rather than making suspension the automatic answer.
OUR MESSAGE IS SIMPLE:
Don't only optimise the algorithm for the passenger. Optimise it for the driver too.
Better pricing matters.
But fair policies, safe operating spaces and driver protection matter just as much.
OCDNKE will continue to applaud what is good, question what is unfair and advocate for practical solutions.
So, bolt... the SGR designated parking area is a good start. 👏🏾
Give drivers legitimate places to pick up and drop off passengers.
Because when drivers have safe, recognised spaces, passengers get better service, traffic flows better, and unnecessary conflict is reduced.
OCDNKE isn't against the platforms.
We are for a better system.
A system where passengers are protected, drivers are respected, and technology works fairly for everyone.
OCDNKE - ONE VOICE. ONE DRIVER. ONE NETWORK.
