Women and young people are increasingly relying on ride-hailing platforms for safer movement after dark.
This is according to an Ipsos Ride-Hailing Safety Index Survey (2025).
The survey has found that 94 per cent of users in Kenya feel safer using ride-hailing apps at night compared to traditional modes of transport.
“Women and young people overwhelmingly prefer app-based transport when moving at night because they can track their trip, verify their driver, and get dropped directly at their doorstep”, Dimmy Kanyonkole, Senior General Manager, Rides, East Africa, said.
Out of the respondents who prefer using hailing platforms at night, women accounted for 70% with the majority aged 18–34.
The findings reveal that safety is not only a primary motivator for choosing ride-hailing services, as ranked by 57% of respondents, but also a decisive factor in late-night travel for social, work, and commuting needs.
The survey also established that 89% of respondents opt for ride-hailing specifically because it felt like a safer option in situations such as fatigue, late-night travel, or when navigating unfamiliar areas.
Fridays record the highest surge in ride and food-related movement, signalling a consistent weekly pattern where Kenyans, particularly young women, choose app-based mobility during nights out, events, and weekend transitions.