Ride-hailing company Bolt, on August 11, 2026, expanded its transport options in Mombasa by making tuk-tuks available through its platform, giving residents and visitors easier access to one of the coastal city's most recognisable modes of transport.
The company said the move reflects Mombasa's distinctive transport culture, where tuk-tuks have long been a key part of daily travel alongside motorcycles and cars.
The colourful three-wheeled vehicles are widely used for short trips, including journeys to workplaces, shops, markets, beaches and other destinations across the city.
Bolt said integrating tuk-tuks into its platform was intended to make the transport option easier to access without changing the way people in Mombasa traditionally travel.
Dimmy Kanyankole, Senior General Manager for East Africa at Bolt, said local transport habits had influenced the company's approach to mobility in the city.
“One of the things that makes Mombasa unique is that Tuk Tuks aren't just another mode of transport; they're part of the city's everyday rhythm. People use them to get to work, visit family, run errands and explore the coast. By making them easier to access through the Bolt app, we're reflecting the way people already move while giving passengers more choice depending on the type of journey they're making,” Kanyankole said.
Unlike cities where ride-hailing is predominantly associated with private cars, Mombasa has a diverse transport ecosystem that includes tuk-tuks, motorcycles and cars.
Bolt said shorter distances, busy neighbourhoods and the city's distinctive layout have contributed to the popularity of tuk-tuks as a practical option for everyday journeys.
The integration of tuk-tuks into the platform also allows passengers to select different transport options depending on convenience, distance and budget.
Kanyankole explained that technology should respond to the transport needs and habits of individual communities rather than impose a uniform model across different cities.
“Technology works best when it adapts to local communities rather than expecting communities to adapt to technology. Every city has its own transport culture, and Mombasa's is one of the most distinctive in Kenya. Our role is simply to make that experience more accessible and convenient for the people who use it every day.”
The company said passengers can now use the Bolt app to choose between tuk-tuks, motorcycles and cars depending on the nature of their journey.
The expansion comes as digital platforms increasingly become part of Kenya's urban transport landscape, bringing traditional and modern mobility options onto the same platform.
For Mombasa residents, the availability of tuk-tuks on the app offers a digital route to a familiar form of transport, while visitors can use the platform to access one of the city's defining travel experiences.
Bolt said the service is intended to provide greater flexibility for passengers travelling around Mombasa, whether commuting, running errands, visiting friends or exploring destinations such as the beach and Old Town.