Matatus Defy NTSA Order Revoking SACCO Licences, Continue Operating

• The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) withdrew the licences of 64 matatu Saccos on Thursday, May 2
• NTSA warned members of the public against boarding vehicles belonging to the said Saccos, adding that the police would impound them
• However, on Friday, May 3, most of the PSVs operating under these Saccos like Runka and Kensilver were still operating

TUKO.co.ke journalist Wycliffe Musalia brings over five years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Most public service vehicles (PSVs) operating under Saccos whose licences were revoked are still on the road.

This is according to a concerned Kenyan man who shared details of two matatus spotted in the Nairobi CBD a day after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) cancelled their licences.

Why are Matatus still operating under revoked Sacco licences?

Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, John Kariuki, a Nairobi resident, said some of the matatus have rebranded.

"If you go to the Odeon Cinema in Nairobi town right now, you will find these matatus carrying on with their daily activities. A good example is Runka, which has changed to Runka shuttle. Kensilver is still operating, yet it was among the 64 matatus Saccos whose licences were withdrawn," said Kariuki.

John shared images and a video showing the PSVs' daily activities on Friday, April 3.

NTSA warned the public against boarding the matatus that belong to the Saccos whose licences have been cancelled.

The authority said the National Police Service (NPS) has been advised to impound vehicles belonging to the Saccos or companies found operating following the revocation of their licences.

Some of the affected Saccos include Kensilver, plying Nairobi, Maua, Embu and Meru routes; Mbukinya, plying Nairobi, Nakuru, Kapsabet, Chavakali, Busia and Luanda routes; and Moline, plying Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kitale routes.

Others are Akila Transport Ltd, plying Bus Station, Mombasa Road, South B & South C routes; Telaviv Travellers, plying South B, South C, Eastleigh, Jogoo Road, Fedha, and Gikomba routes; among others.

Govt bans matatus from offering courier services

In related news, TUKO.co.ke reported that the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) issued a warning against the illegal provision of postal courier services in the country by unauthorised Public Service Vehicles (PSV).

Sacco PSVs and other providers violating postal courier service regulations may face fines up to KSh 300,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.

CA advised Kenyans to use licensed postal and courier operators to ensure the safety of their items and mitigate risks.

Proofreading by Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke