Estonian ride-hailing company, Bolt, is experiencing a stretch of torrid times on the African continent as authorities in Kenya have connected the e-hailing company’s app to the activities of a gang of two kidnappers in the country’s capital, Nairobi.
This is coming as e-hailing drivers in Nigeria are accusing the company of being insensitive to their plight after its refusal to increase fares and accept a slash in commission following a fuel subsidy removal which saw an astronomical hike in fuel prices. In South Africa, drivers on the ride-hailing company, alongside Uber, were suspended from operating anywhere around the Soweto Malls following clashes with regular taxi drivers.
The two alleged kidnappers, 34-year-old Timothy Kiragu, and 33-year-old Samuel Kipkurui, were alleged to have abducted Erica Gachoka, the daughter of Kenyan media personality, Ciku Muiruri, and her friend, Shanice Agose in Westlands Nairobi. While the date of the unfortunate event was not disclosed but, it was reported to have happened when Erica and Shanice were leaving a party.
According to a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the victims hailed a taxi on the Bolt App to take them home from the party. When they entered the cab, the driver reportedly abducted them, threatening them with a hammer before speeding off to their hideout in Thika, towards the outskirts of Nairobi.
After the party, the two requested a ride to Kilimani, via the bolt taxi application. But when the ride arrived along Rhapta road in Westlands and they got in, the driver threatened them using a hammer before speeding off towards Thika. Investigations into the abduction were immediately launched as the detectives trailed the suspects who operated between Nairobi, Thika, Ruiru and Witeithie in Kiambu County. The abductors demanded for a ransom of Sh250,000 from each of the two, in order to release them
Kenya’s DCI
The officers eventually raided a house in Ngoigwa area in Thika, where the two suspects Timothy Kiragu and Samuel Kipkurui were arrested. After a brief interview, the alleged kidnappers led detectives to their hideout in Kiambu County, where the two abducted women were rescued. Assorted crude weapons and fake motor vehicle number plates were recovered from the suspects.
The victims who had been held hostage for 8 days have since been reunited safely with their families.
Bolt Kenya confirmed the incident in a statement while emphasizing their contributions in helping the local authorities bring the transgressors under the law. “We proactively collaborated with the authorities to provide pertinent information regarding this case that supported the conclusion of this investigation,” the statement read.
The company also cautioned its app users from boarding any cab whose details are contrary to what is on the app. The company claims this measure being followed can avert a similar occurrence from happening next time. “We strongly discourage the use of vehicles that do not match the details on the platform, as this was one of the issues that led to this unfortunate incident,” the company stated.
However, none of these have saved the company from scathing remarks from its numerous users online.
Read More; Ibadan e-hailing drivers reject Bolt fare increase, to embark on 5-day strike
Double “wahala” for Bolt in Nairobi
With the arrest of the two kidnappers, Bolt users in Kenya took to Twitter to narrate similar cases where drivers on the gig working platform had turned out to be gig working criminals. A tweep, Arthur Adema (@arthuradema1) claimed the app has been taken over by criminal elements, while also accusing the app company of shielding them;
Bolt App is full of thieves and the app protects this thieves from facing the law. My goods were stolen by a rider with bolt app and till date bolt refuses to share the rider’s plate for the police to act despite sharing an o.b with them
Arthur Adema
Similarly, another Kenya man, Ken Misiko, narrated his awful experience with another a Bolt driver identified as Ezekiel who turned out to be a thief.
The Twitter user narrated how he had given a laptop to the driver for delivery, but the driver disappeared with the laptop and nothing was heard from him. Furthermore, the victim reported that after several attempts to reach the driver via phone call, the driver switched off his phone.
Mr. Misiko, the victim stated that the driver was driving a Suzuki Alto, which in his tweet, Bolt has since replied and assured to follow up with the case. Eventually, the man tweeted that the matter has been resolved as he was now in possession of his gadget.
Mr. Misiko made an appreciation post to KOT,Viva in the early hours of today. He claimed that his laptop was returned this morning through a rider. However, the driver did not show up but the owner of the car called and apologized.
While that was pleasant to hear, not every victim would end up as lucky as the man above. Indeed most victims don’t. It therefore behooves on the company to enforce security measures that would guarantee the safety of both its passengers and drivers. In Ghana for instance, e-hailing drivers are reported to be carrying weapons as part of their itinerary. The drivers there also complained that Bolt remains the least safety-conscious platform for them.
Safety measures for Bolt users
In retrospect, the ride-hailing company introduced several safety features to users. Amidst the many features, one of them demands that drivers upload a selfie of them before hitting the road for a ride. This is to compare the person behind the wheel with the profile picture on the company’s app.
In addition to these measures by the company, riders can disclose the status of their live trips with a third party for added safety by sharing live location, and Bolt tracks trips in real time. How meticulous the company has been in enforcing these measures remains to be seen.
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