Bolt has launched in Kenya the Family Profile feature that allows one user to manage and pay for trips for up to nine other people, all under one account.

This new addition is expected to transform how families, caregivers, and support networks move around, particularly in urban centres where coordination and safety are top concerns.

Bolt revealed that 2–6 per cent of current trips on its platform are ordered on behalf of someone else, often involving manual communication and the back-and-forth of trip details.

According to the ride-hailing platform, the Family Profile streamlines this process by introducing a built-in solution that allows users to:

• Add up to 9 people to one Bolt account

Read More

  1. Full details of the newly unveiled Bolt Premium ride hailing service in Kenya
  2. Bolt witnesses 46 per cent drop in offline trips as new safety measures take effect
  3. Bolt Food expands Iftar delivery options with its special deals during Ramadan

• Set individual monthly ride limits

• Receive live notifications when rides start or end

• Monitor trip history and intervene in case of unexpected changes

Bolt General Manager for Kenya and Tanzania Dimmy Kanyankole says Bolt aims to create ride-hailing solutions that are aligned with the everyday mobility needs of its customers.

“The launch of the Family Profile feature marks a significant step in empowering our customers to provide safe, seamless, and convenient transportation for their loved ones,” Kanyankole said.

He added: “By combining control, transparency, and flexibility in one feature, we’re proud to bring greater value and peace of mind to households across Kenya.”

While the feature adds more flexibility, Bolt has emphasized that it will not override the platform’s existing safety policies.

All users added to a Family Profile must:

• Have their own Bolt account

• Be at least 18 years old

This means the platform cannot be used to book rides for unaccompanied minors, a measure Bolt says is critical to maintaining legal compliance and rider safety.

For parents, guardians, or those supporting older relatives who may not be tech-savvy, the Family Profile provides a simpler way to ensure safe transportation, even for those who do not use the Bolt app themselves.

The new feature comes at a time when ride-hailing usage is growing fastest among older adults, a segment often hindered by app complexity or payment methods.

With the Family Profile, a caregiver can fully manage rides, including choosing pick-up and drop-off locations, monitoring the journey in real-time, and contacting the rider or driver in the event of delays or detours.

Bolt says this added oversight is not just a convenience, it is a safety upgrade, complementing existing features such as:

• Emergency button support

• Trip verification codes

• Ride sharing with trusted contacts

• Real-time ride monitoring by Bolt’s Safety Team

The new feature is part of Bolt’s broader investment in building a smarter, safer ride-hailing experience across the region as it continues to refine routing, mapping, and app usability.