Reprieve for Super Metro as operational ban temporarily halted

Through its chairman Adrian Kamotho, the board said that the fleet is at liberty to immediately resume operations in due compliance with the law.

"Pending inter-party hearing of the motion and the memorandum of appeal....an interim order is hereby issued staying the operation of the decision of the respondents dated 18th March suspending the operations of the applicant," reads the order in part.

NTSA suspended Super Metro Limited's operating license on March 20 for multiple violations of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) regulations.

NTSA said that the decision aims to ensure road safety and regulatory compliance. 

A thorough examination of the company's operations revealed numerous instances of noncompliance, according to the authority, including vehicle inspection and licensing failures, speed limiter violations, unqualified drivers, and labor law violations. 

Hundreds of Super Metro vehicles lined up for urgent inspections at the NTSA center on Likoni Road on Friday.

Among the key areas of scrutiny were the vehicles' bodywork, speed limiters, lighting systems, safety belts, and tyre conditions.

The Sacco filed an appeal with the Transport Licensing Appeals Board in Nairobi, challenging the Authority’s decision and terming the move arbitrary and unjust.

Super Metro argued that it had invested heavily in aligning its operations with regulatory requirements and claimed that NTSA’s suspension would cripple its operations and harm thousands of livelihoods.

In its appeal, the Sacco asserted that the suspension is based on conjecture and insufficiently investigated facts.