The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has suspended the operator license of Super Metro Limited, one of Kenya’s leading public transport providers, following a detailed audit that uncovered widespread safety and compliance violations.
The suspension, which took effect immediately, affects Super Metro’s entire fleet of 523 vehicles and will remain in place until the company satisfies stringent regulatory conditions.
Violations Across the Fleet
The NTSA’s audit found serious breaches of the Public Service Vehicles (PSV) Regulations, with notable issues including:
- 15 vehicles with expired inspection certificates
- 8 vehicles with expired Road Service Licenses
- 5 vehicles with expired speed limiter certificates
- 88 vehicles not transmitting required speed data
- 171 vehicles with no speed limiter records
- 109 vehicles exceeding the 80 kph legal limit
- 7 vehicles lacking vendor documentation for speed limiters
The Authority also flagged a concerning number of unqualified drivers. On March 10, 64 Super Metro drivers failed a mandatory retest, prompting license suspensions. NTSA termed this as a “major road safety risk.”
Labor and Regulatory Non-Compliance
The audit additionally revealed violations of labor laws, including failure to meet requirements for:
- Written employment contracts
- Proper statutory deductions
- Workplace health and safety standards
These breaches contravene the NTSA Operations Regulations of 2014, which mandate full labor compliance for PSV operators.
Conditions for Reinstatement
For Super Metro to regain its license, NTSA has set the following requirements:
- 294 flagged vehicles must pass checks with certified speed limiter vendors
- Vehicles must undergo inspection at the Likoni Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre
- 42 drivers with speed violations must be retested
- Unqualified drivers must be removed from service immediately
- Proof of employment contracts and statutory remittances must be submitted
- All drivers must attend road safety sensitization sessions
- The SACCO must undergo a comprehensive compliance audit
Until these conditions are met, Super Metro vehicles are banned from operating. Traffic officers have been directed to impound any vehicles found in violation.
Public Impact and CEO Response
The suspension has disrupted transportation across Nairobi and surrounding counties, affecting thousands of commuters who rely on Super Metro’s network.
In response, Super Metro CEO Nelson Nduki called the suspension “unfair”, arguing that the NTSA should have acted against specific offenders, not the entire SACCO.
“You can’t just suspend an entire SACCO. We are probably the most compliant SACCO in the country,” Nduki stated in an interview.
He confirmed that vehicles continued operating on Thursday, citing prior scheduling and the need to serve loyal customers. Nduki also revealed plans to appeal to the NTSA tribunal, calling the suspension “a blow to the industry.”
As the case unfolds, all eyes remain on the NTSA and Super Metro as the dispute escalates — with road safety, regulatory compliance, and commuter welfare at the center of the debate.
