Bolt dismisses shutdown rumours after fake notice spreads in Kenya
Bolt has dismissed a fraudulent document circulating online that falsely claimed it would cease operations in Kenya, sparking concern among users and driver-partners before being identified as fake.
The document,
which included a specific exit date, spread rapidly across social media and
messaging platforms. No official confirmation or regulatory notice supports the
claim, and operations in Kenya remain uninterrupted.
Denial of
fake notice and verification response
Bolt has
confirmed that the circulating document did not originate from the company or
any authorised representative. It urged the public to disregard it entirely and
rely only on verified communication channels for accurate updates.
The company
also said investigations are underway to identify the source of the fabricated
notice and those responsible for its distribution, with possible action
expected against individuals involved in spreading misinformation.
Driver and
passenger concerns amid sector pressure
The rumour
gained traction within an already sensitive environment shaped by fare
adjustments, regulatory scrutiny and ongoing labour tensions in Kenya’s
ride-hailing sector.
Drivers expressed concern over potential income disruption, while passengers questioned service continuity. The reaction reflected the level of dependence on ride-hailing platforms for daily mobility and livelihoods in urban centres.
The incident
highlights how quickly unverified claims can circulate across informal digital
networks, particularly through messaging platforms where information spreads
without verification.
Once widely
shared, corrections struggled to match the speed and reach of the original
claim. Attention has since shifted to tracing the origin of the fabricated
notice and limiting further spread of similar misinformation.