By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, August 11, 2026 - Bolt has added tuk-tuks to its ride-hailing services in Mombasa, expanding the transport options available to customers in Kenya's coastal city.
The move allows passengers to request tuk-tuks through the Bolt app alongside motorcycles and cars, bringing one of Mombasa's most common forms of public transport into the digital ride-hailing space.
According to Mombasa County revenue records cited in the announcement, about 4,000 tuk-tuks operate in the city, highlighting the importance of the three-wheelers to daily mobility in the coastal region.
Bolt said the service is designed to make tuk-tuks easier to access while allowing passengers to choose between different transport options depending on distance, convenience and budget.
Dimmy Kanyankole, Senior General Manager for Bolt East Africa, said the company had considered Mombasa's distinct transport culture in expanding its services.
"Every city has its own transport culture, and Mombasa's is one of the most distinctive in Kenya," Kanyankole said, adding that the company's role was to make the existing transport experience more accessible and convenient.
The company gave the example of a trip from Mwembe Tayari Road to Mama Ngina Waterfront, which would cost approximately KSh190 using a tuk-tuk on the platform, although fares remain subject to market conditions. A comparable boda boda trip was cited at about KSh160 for one passenger.
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The introduction also gives tuk-tuk operators an opportunity to participate in the digital ride-hailing economy, while giving passengers access to a familiar mode of transport through a platform they already use.
Bolt already operates ride-hailing services in Mombasa, including connections to major destinations such as Likoni Ferry and Moi International Airport.
The latest expansion reflects a broader shift in Kenya's urban transport sector, where traditional modes such as tuk-tuks and motorcycles are increasingly being integrated into technology-driven mobility platforms.
For Mombasa, where tuk-tuks have long been part of the city's transport identity, the move brings a familiar service into a more formalised digital booking system while giving commuters another option for navigating the city's busy streets.