The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Thursday, March 20 suspended Super Metro Limited’s operating licence.
In a statement seen by TV47 Digital, NTSA said that the SACCO’s licence will remain suspended until the company fully complies with the Public Service Vehicles Regulations, 2014 and other set conditions.
The authority cautioned members of the public against boarding vehicles belonging to Super Metro Limited, noting that the Traffic Department will impound its vehicles is they are found operating contrary to the suspension.
The decision, NTSA says, was informed after a comprehensive analysis of the company’s operations unearthed several contraventions of the law.
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Out of the 523 vehicles the company is operating, 15 vehicles were found to have expired inspection certificates, while eight had expired Road Service Licences (RSL), in what was a clear contravention of the Traffic Act and the NTSA (Operation of Passenger Service Vehicles) Regulations, 2014.
The public transport regulator also found that five vehicles belonging to Super Metro had expired speed limiter certificates, 88 vehicles were not transmitting speed data, 171 vehicles had no speed limiter records, seven vehicles had no speed limiter vendor details, while 109 vehicles were operating beyond the speed limit of 80KPH.
And with regards to the Traffic (Driving Schools, Driving Instructors and Driving Licences) Rules, 2020, NTSA established that the driving credentials of the drivers assigned to the company’s portal did not meet the required qualifications, an aspect that present a major road safety risk.
“The Company was also in violation of the provisions of the NTSA (Operation of Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 2014, Section 5, sub-section 1(e) which states: A person desirous of operating public service vehicles shall be a member of a body corporate which shall comply with labour laws and regulations including in respect to statutory deductions, health and safety of the workplace, Work Injuries Benefits Act (Cap. 236) insurance, statutory leave days and written contracts of employment for staff,” the statement from NTSA reads in part.
Conditions to Super Metro
The authority has outlined a raft of conditions that Super Metro must meet for its operating licence to be restored.
First, NTSA says that the company must present the 294 vehicles with various violations to the respective speed limiter vendors for compliance checks.
Second, NTSA insists that Super Metro must present the 294 vehicles with violations for compliance inspection at Likoni Moto Vehicle Inspection Centre and obtain compliance reports for all the vehicles.
Third, NTSA has ordered Super Metro to present 42 drivers, out of the 109 drivers with speed violations, for retest at the Likoni Driver Test Centre. “We note that 64 of the Company’s drivers failed a retest on 10th March 2025 and this led to the suspension of their respective driving licences,” NTSA notes.
Fourth, NTSA wants Super Metro to immediately fire unqualified drivers for the safety of all road users.
Fifth, NTSA has ordered the company to present signed contracts for their drivers and other staff including proof of compliance with Section 5(1)(e), six months record of staff payroll, PAYE, NSSF and SHA remittances.
Sixth, the company has been ordered to conduct Road Safety Sensitization for all its drivers and submit to the Authority the sensitization report, photos, minutes of the session and the attendance register. The exercise shall be facilitated by NTSA officers.
Lastly, NTSA says it shall conduct a Compliance Audit on the Company.
Super Metro vehicles still operating
Super Metro operations are still ongoing despite NTSA suspending the Matatu SACCO's operator licence. pic.twitter.com/VYsAxBN9m6
— tv47ke (@Tv47Newske) March 20, 2025
However, a spot check by TV47 within Nairobi revealed that Super Metro Limited vehicles are still operating, despite the suspension of their operating licence.
In an exclusive interview with TV47’s Moige William, Super Metro Limited Chairperson Nelson Mwangi Nduki says the vehicles will continue operating until such a time that the company will be served with the suspension by the NTSA.
“Super Metro Sacco Limited will continue with its operations until we are properly served by the NTSA,” he said.
According to Nduki, the management of the Nairobi public transport operator have learnt about the suspension of their licence on social media, and they have not received any official communication from the regulator.
