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Suzzy Cerra, a lady who was assaulted by a Bolt cab driver has come out to reveal that Bolt taxi company has reached out to her with a promise of giving her free rides to settle a case where the driver allegedly cut her hand after a disagreement over fare
Suzzy has told Taarifa News that Bolt has asked her to pull down a social media post where she highlighted the ordeal in order to earn a promotional code, that translates to free rides.
“They asked me to pull down my post so that they can give me a promo code,” Suzzy said.
The incident happened on Sunday, August 29 around 9:00 pm near Diamond Plaza in Nairobi, and according to Suzzy, fracas started when the taxi driver, identified as Samuel, demanded to charge them almost three times the value charged by the app.
Suzzy, who was in the company of her brother, claims the driver insisted on the amount and when she opted for cancelling the trip, he became bitter and assaulted her brother with a wooden throwing club.
Suzzy narrated that the driver further brandished a knife and aimed it at cutting the brother’s head forcing her to come to his aid by blocking the knife with her hand.
She says they both fell to the ground as a result of the fracas and it is at that point that the driver hacked her hand and drove off.
“The driver said he will only carry us if we pay Ksh780 yet the app was reading Ksh270.
“I refused to pay the extra fare and opted for cancelling the trip so that I can request another ride. That is when he became furious and assaulted by brother with a baton. He then brandished a knife and wanted to cut my brother’s head but I blocked it with my hand and we all fell to the ground. It is there that he hacked my hand and drove off,” Suzzy narrated.
According to images seen by Taarifa News, Suzzy’s wrist and fingers are visibly swollen with a white bandage covering her knuckle and palm.
In response to the allegations, Bolt Kenya released a statement urging the victim to report the incident to Parklands Police Station so that justice can be pursued.
The company confirmed that Suzzy requested a trip, the same driver accepted and confirmed at 8:41 pm on the said date.
Bolt further defended their driver saying the rider requested for a ride only to appear with eight people against the required four.
“The driver explained to the rider that he cannot carry beyond the licensed capacity of four passengers. The rider didn’t want to listen and her friends proceeded to physically attack the driver,” Bolt stated.
Bolt added: “Bolt condemns any acts of violence against passengers or drivers and are resolute in our belief that drivers have their right to work and passengers have the right to travel, without having to fear for their safety.”
The taxi firm has also downplayed claims that it has refused to take action and blamed the victim for refusing to cooperate.
“Bolt has reached out to the rider severally since August 30, 2021, to offer support and requested that she reports the incident to the police at Parklands Police Station and to share with us the case number. However, this is still pending and as at the same of this statement and the rider has since been uncooperative,” the statement read in part.