Africa News of Thursday, 26 October 2023

Source: mynigeria.com

Kenya Bolt driver suspended after exposing himself to female customer

File photo of a ride hailing app File photo of a ride hailing app

olt Kenya announced it has suspended a driver on its platform after he was filmed exposing his genitals to a female customer during a trip. According to Citizen Digital, the video of the incident in question has since gone viral.

In the video that was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, the Bolt driver is seen driving with his manhood exposed. The female customer is also reportedly heard instructing the driver to stop the vehicle so they alight.

“Why are you undressing? Drop me there” the female customer is heard saying before telling her friend in the backseat that the driver “is naked.” “Drop me,” she subsequently tells the driver.

Responding to the incident, Bolt said the driver in question has been suspended from its platform. “We are also actively engaging with the affected rider, and once again take this opportunity to express our sincere concern and empathy over this unfortunate incident,” the company said, adding that it prioritizes the safety of customers and does not entertain such behaviors from its drivers.

In the aftermath of the incident, former Nairobi Governor Sonko threatened to take legal action against the ride-hailing company in a letter he wrote to them.

“As the former Governor of Nairobi County, our client has a duty of care to protect the citizens and residents of Nairobi County, especially the youth who are a marginalized group, which is the group in which the victims fall under in this unfortunate event. Furthermore, he has been entrusted to represent the victims in this matter because the Bolt company is a Multi-national company, a fact which may intimidate the innocent victims in this matter at hand,” Sonko stated, per Citizen Digital.

“Therefore, we write to you to create awareness of the gross misconduct by one of your drivers and to prompt you to take swift action against the said driver failure to which will amount to your company entertaining the said sexual offences committed, which are in contravention of the Sexual Offences Act no. 3 of 2006,” the letter added. “We look forward to your swift response and action in relation to this matter.”