Thirteen matatu saccos have secured temporary relief after Justice Chacha Mwita directed the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) not to evict them from TOTAL and OLA petrol stations pending the hearing of their petition.
Through lawyer Danstan Omari, the operators argue that the shutdown order issued by EPRA and Nairobi City County has thrown the industry into confusion, disrupted business, and threatened the livelihoods of thousands who rely on the stations as critical pickup and drop-off points.
The sacco sought orders to stop the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and the Nairobi County Government from enforcing a ban on picking up and dropping off passengers at petrol stations within Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD). The petitioner has questioned why Nairobi commuters are being singled out.
In a certificate of urgency, the petitioners—ENA Coach, Easy Coach, Mololine, North Rift, GTS Supreme Sacco, Nenus Shuttle, Transline Classic, Prestige Limited, Kangema Sacco, and Super Premium T&T—warned that the directives would cripple their operations and disrupt vital public transport services.
The transport operators said they were issued immediate orders to halt passenger operations at fuel stations, describing the move as abrupt, procedurally flawed, and economically damaging.
They argue that enforcing the ban during the peak festive season could leave thousands of commuters stranded, affecting both long-distance and shuttle services.
The petitioners further argued that there is no record of incidents where their operations endangered public safety at Nairobi petrol stations, while similar services continue unhindered in other parts of the country.
Through the court application, the transport companies sought urgent intervention to prevent irreparable harm, sudden halts in operations, and massive financial losses.
The counsel has asked the High Court to prioritize the matter, arguing that any delay in issuing conservatory orders would render the petition ineffective.