Bolt, the leading on-demand mobility platform in Africa, kicked off the vaccination drive in Kenya at the beginning of December, encouraging drivers to protect them against the spread of COVID-19 and increase vaccine uptake in the country.
The initiative allocated 1,000 vaccines for drivers on the Bolt platform after securing Johnson and Johnson vaccine doses.
The process is ongoing and facilitated by Bolt in collaboration with Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and other government-approved vaccination facilities. The vaccination facilities include; Metropolitan Hospital, EABL Clinic, Mitchell Cotts (JKIA), 4G Capital in Karen and Parklands Mosques (under the Ganatra Plant).
“We remain mindful of the severity and the effects of this virus on the economy and continue to look into ways to accelerate vaccine uptake. We’ve secured 1,000 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which we’ve begun providing drivers on our platform in collaboration with various government approved vaccination facilities in Nairobi. This move aims to boost the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine in the country and support the government’s effort that will assist in upholding the growth and sustainability of the economy.” Said Micah Kenneth, Regional Manager, Bolt EA.
Abraham Kuria, a driver with Bolt who received his jab at Parklands Mosque, urged other drivers who are yet to receive the jab to do so as it creates a safer environment for them to work. “We interact with different people in the course of our job, and if this vaccine can provide some layer of protection against Coronavirus, then please let’s take the opportunity presented to us by Bolt and the government to get vaccinated; for our own good.”
Waititu Njuguna proactively shared his vaccination certificate with Bolt, a driver who needed no encouragement. He shared that he is fully vaccinated, commenting, “ I’ve shared my vaccination certificate to affirm that I am vaccinated and will safely transport passengers to their various destinations.”
“We continue to strengthen our safety measures in the fight against COVID-19 and in providing a safer environment for passengers to move around and for drivers to continue operating their business in the current marketplace. We are not making it mandatory for our drivers to get the vaccine. However, we encourage them to take the step and make a difference,” added Kenneth.
Bolt has been at the forefront of the fight against the spread of Coronavirus since March 2020. The company initiated several campaigns geared towards managing the spread of the virus, including offering financial and operational support to the Wheels of Life initiative that provided access to hospitals for women in labour who had obstetric emergencies during curfew hours, reducing maternal deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic and also offering free rides to health workers during curfew hours. Bolt also launched the Bolt Protect ride category, which included installing over 800 protective screens in select taxis operating on the platform. This proactive initiative significantly offered protection to passengers and drivers against the spread of COVID-19 during the early phase when face masks were not available at scale.
