The High Court has directed ride-hailing and food delivery service provider Bolt to reinstate the Toyota Sienta model in its high-capacity service category, Bolt XL, pending the outcome of an ongoing legal dispute.
Justice Chacha Mwita issued the ruling following a petition filed by 11 vehicle owners, who argued that the Toyota Sienta, which has been part of the Bolt XL category since 2017, was unfairly removed from the segment on February 5. The XL category includes vehicles that accommodate up to seven passengers and is a preferred option for large-group travel.
Petitioners Daniel Manga and Paul Wakaba, alongside other drivers, claimed that the decision to exclude Toyota Sienta from Bolt XL was made despite the vehicle meeting all category requirements. They highlighted that other six-seater models, such as the Honda Freed, Toyota Wish, Toyota Isis, Toyota Passo Sette, and Nissan Lafesta, remained listed under Bolt XL.
“Pending the determination of this case, a conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from implementing the decision to delist Toyota Sienta vehicles from the Bolt XL category,” ruled Justice Mwita.
The court scheduled the hearing for June 17.
According to the affected drivers, Toyota Sienta vehicles had previously been listed in at least two categories on the Bolt app: the basic category and Bolt XL. They noted that fares in the XL category are between fifty percent and one hundred percent higher than in the basic and economy categories.
The petitioners further argued that the unexpected removal of Toyota Sienta from the XL segment had significantly reduced their income and disrupted their loan repayment plans.
“The change was sudden and communicated through automated responses that lacked proper explanation. This has had a serious financial impact on drivers,” the petition stated.
Representing the petitioners, lawyer Mercy Mutemi described the move as unfair and discriminatory, stating that it violated constitutional rights, including fair administrative action, non-discrimination, access to information, fair labor practices, consumer rights, and protection of young people from exploitation.
“The petitioners are duly registered Bolt drivers who rely on the ride-hailing business as their primary source of income. For some of them, their only remaining category option on the app was the basic Bolt category, which was set as default without their consent,” Mutemi added.
The case will continue in court as drivers seek full reinstatement of the Toyota Sienta in the XL category.
