The High Court has ordered ride-hailing firm Bolt to reinstate Toyota Sienta vehicles in its XL category, ruling that the company violated drivers’ rights by removing the cars without a hearing or written reasons.
Justice Roselyne Aburili also barred Bolt from removing Sienta vehicles from the XL category again, or taking similar action against other drivers who use the model. She found that Bolt pulled the six-seater cars without giving drivers a chance to be heard or a written explanation, and that it treated the Sienta differently from comparable models.
The dispute dates back to February 2025, when Bolt removed Sienta vehicles from XL, a premium category for larger cars, where some drivers had operated since 2017. According to the petitioners, the drivers were removed on February 5, 2025, even though they had met the category’s requirements throughout. They told the court that XL trips earn them 50 to 100 percent more than trips in the basic Bolt and Bolt Economy categories, so being moved out cut deeply into their incomes.
Bolt defended its decision, arguing that the Sienta does not meet XL requirements because of its passenger space and luggage capacity. The court rejected this reasoning in practice. It found that Bolt had singled out the Sienta even though other vehicles with similar features remain in the category, and noted that the company did not contest the drivers’ claim that only the Sienta had been affected.
The drivers also asked the court for broader safeguards. These included an effective complaints and appeals process, clearer channels of communication with Bolt, and protection against retaliation when drivers challenge decisions that affect their livelihoods.
The case was filed by Daniel Onwonga Manga and 10 other vehicle owners. In February 2025, shortly after the removal, Justice E.C. Mwita issued conservatory orders directing Bolt to return the Sienta cars to XL pending the hearing of the petition, saying it raised important constitutional questions. The Sienta is a five-door minivan that seats up to seven people, which is why drivers say it suits group trips and XL bookings.
The ruling adds to a growing body of litigation in Kenya over how digital platforms treat the drivers who work for them, an area with little specific regulation. Bolt has not publicly responded to the latest judgment, and it may appeal.
