Super Metros' fleet of matatus has been granted a reprieve after the Transport Licensing Appeals Board temporarily suspended the National Transport and Safety Authority's (NTSA) decision to revoke its operating license.
Following the ruling, TLAB under the chairpersonship of Adrian Kamotho directed that Super Metro buses were free to resume their operations.
"Pending the inter-partes hearing of the Motion and the Memorandum of Appeal on Thursday, 27th March 2025, an interim order is hereby issued suspending the execution, enforcement, and operation of the decision made by the Respondent on 18th March 2025 (NTSA/C/RT/010/2VOL)," read part of the ruling by TLAB.
The ruling further stated, "The suspension of the appellant, Super Metro Sacco Limited, as a PSV operator is hereby lifted. The appellant is at liberty to immediately resume operations in full compliance with the law."
Further, the board directed that the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja be served with the ruling to enable the buses to operate freely without being impounded by the police.
The ruling by the tribunal comes after Super Metro filed a complaint with the Tribunal on Friday, March 21, challenging NTSA’s decision to suspend it, terming the move arbitrary and unjust.
The Sacco argued that it had invested heavily in aligning its operations with regulatory requirements and claimed that NTSA’s suspension would have crippled its operations and impacted thousands of livelihoods.
In its appeal, Sacco further asserted that the suspension was based on conjecture and insufficiently investigated facts.
In an official notice dated Thursday, March 20, NTSA cautioned members of the public against boarding vehicles belonging to the SACCO.
"This is to notify the public that the Authority has suspended Super Metro Limited’s operator license until the Company fully complies with the Public Service Vehicles Regulations, 2014, and other set conditions," the notice read in part.
Traffic police were also instructed to impound vehicles belonging to the company that are operating contrary to the suspension.
According to NTSA, it conducted a comprehensive analysis of Super Metro and found that out of its 523 vehicles, 15 had expired inspection certificates, and eight had expired Road Service Licences (RSL). This according to the authority posed a risk to the public.
Super Metro's fate regarding whether the temporary order will be upheld permanently will be decided on Thursday, March 27, when the tribunal will deliver its final ruling on the case.
