The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has suspended the operating license of Super Metro Limited, a prominent player in Nairobi’s public transportation sector, citing multiple safety violations.
- •According to an NTSA, a comprehensive audit of Super Metro revealed significant violations of industry regulations—noting that out of the company’s 523 vehicles, 15 lacked valid inspection certificates, and 8 had expired Road Service Licences.
- •Additionally, 171 Super Metro vehicles failed to produce speed limiter records, while 109 exceeded the legal speed limit of 80 kilometers per hour.
- •NTSA also highlighted the questionable qualifications of the company’s drivers, with 64 out of 109 drivers flagged for speed violations failing retests on 10th March.
“The driving credentials of the drivers assigned to the Company’s portal do not meet the required qualifications which present a major road safety risk. Members of the public are cautioned against boarding vehicles belonging to Super Metro Limited,” NTSA said in a statement.
The agency also mandated that Super Metro disengage unqualified drivers and submit valid employment contracts and proof of statutory compliance, including PAYE, NSSF, and SHA contributions.
Super Metro will also have to present 294 vehicles for inspection and rectify all compliance gaps before seeking reinstatement of license. A road safety sensitization program for all drivers and a compliance audit by NTSA will follow.
The suspension follows the death of a passenger last week following an altercation with a conductor on a Super Metro matatu along the Nairobi-Thika route, sparking public anger against the company. Witnesses reported that the dispute arose after the passenger failed to pay KSh 30. In a heated exchange, the conductor allegedly forced the man out of the moving vehicle, leading to fatal injuries.
Authorities have since arrested the matatu crew, impounded the vehicle, and they have been sentenced to life imprisonment. The tragic death triggered calls for stricter enforcement of regulations governing the conduct of public service vehicle operators.
