Uber Rolls Out Major Safety Upgrades for Boda Bodas in Kenya

Uber Kenya is rolling out a suite of new safety tools for its motorcycle taxi service, Uber Boda, in a significant move aimed at raising safety and professionalism standards within the country’s largely informal boda boda sector. The initiative adapts many of the safety features from Uber’s car service to its two-wheeler platform.

The new features include real-time GPS tracking for all trips, an in-app emergency button, and mandatory driver background checks and training. This push for a more structured and secure experience comes as ride-hailing platforms increasingly compete for a share of Kenya’s most dominant mode of transport.

Uber’s new safety ecosystem for its boda boda service is designed to provide greater peace of mind for riders. Key features now being implemented include:

• Driver Vetting and Training: All drivers on the Uber Boda platform will be required to undergo vetting and safety training.
• Trip Sharing: Riders can easily share their live trip details, including their route and estimated time of arrival, with trusted contacts.
• Emergency Button: An in-app emergency button allows riders to quickly connect with emergency services if needed.
• Upfront Fares: All fares are calculated and shown in the app before the trip begins, eliminating the common issue of fare disputes and haggling.
• Incident Monitoring: Uber says it will actively monitor safety incidents and share relevant data with regulators to help improve overall transport safety.

The boda boda is a core component of Kenya’s transport system. According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), there are over 2.5 million registered motorcycles in the country, with an estimated 1.8 million active in the boda boda business.

However, a large portion of the sector remains unregulated, and safety concerns, including accidents and crime, are widespread. Uber Boda is betting that by introducing a more structured model—built on technology, tracking, and training—it can offer a safer and more predictable alternative to the status quo.

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In addition to the safety upgrades, Uber is also pushing for sustainability within the sector. The company is partnering with electric mobility firm Greenwheels Africa to introduce battery-powered electric bikes into its Uber Boda fleet. As part of this partnership, drivers using the electric bikes will also receive specialized training and regular vehicle checks.

As competition in the ride-hailing space continues to intensify, Uber is clearly positioning its boda boda service as the safer, more reliable choice. The success of this strategy will ultimately depend on whether riders and drivers embrace this new, more structured model, weighing its benefits against the traditional factors of price and availability.