- The High Court has temporarily allowed Nicco Movers to resume operations as it challenges the suspension of its PSV operator’s licence
- The sacco can only operate vehicles individually inspected and cleared by NTSA, with strict conditions on roadworthiness, insurance and licensing
- The court has given NTSA and the interested party seven days to respond, with the case scheduled for further mention on November 10
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
Harry Ivan Mboto is a Current Affairs and Politics Editor at TUKO.co.ke, covering crime and court news. Mboto has five years of journalism experience and joined TUKO.co.ke in 2024
The High Court in Nairobi has allowed Nicco Movers Limited to resume operations with vehicles individually cleared by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), temporarily easing the suspension of the matatu sacco's licence.
Source: Facebook
Milimani High Court Judge Janet Mulwa granted the interim relief on Thursday, October 22, as the Sacco challenges a decision by the Transport Licensing Appeals Board to suspend its public service vehicle (PSV) operator's licence.
The sacco had been barred from operating its fleet of 159 vehicles following the death of a passenger in an incident involving one of its minibuses.
The court temporarily stayed the implementation of Order 61(a) of the tribunal's judgment delivered on August 31, 2026, granting prayers two and three of Nicco Movers' application.
What conditions did the court set for Nicco Movers?
Under the interim orders, Nicco Movers can only operate vehicles individually inspected and verified by NTSA as meeting the required statutory standards.
The conditions cover roadworthiness, insurance, licensing, crew compliance and other applicable legal requirements.
Justice Mulwa issued the orders after certifying the application as urgent. She also directed that the application be served on NTSA and interested party Jacinta Nzilani Mutuku, with the respondents given seven days to file their responses.
The parties are expected to return to court on November 10, 2026, for directions on how the application will be determined.
Nicco Movers moved to court through lawyer Danstan Omari, arguing that the suspension threatened its business operations and the livelihoods of employees who depend on the Sacco.
Why was Nicco Movers' licence suspended?
The dispute stems from the death of 19-year-old Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) student Eugene Mutivi Mutuku on June 5.
Mutuku allegedly fell or was pushed from a moving Nicco Movers minibus along Thika Road during a dispute over a KSh20 fare. The precise circumstances of the incident remain subject to the relevant proceedings.
Following the incident, NTSA and the Transport Licensing Appeals Board took action against the Sacco over its operating licence.
In its August 31 judgment, the tribunal set aside the outright revocation of Nicco Movers' licence but ordered its immediate suspension, subject to the resolution of ten compliance concerns within seven days.
The decision effectively affected the Sacco's entire fleet of 159 vehicles, including those it maintained had undergone inspection and met the required standards.
Nicco Movers subsequently challenged the suspension in the High Court, seeking permission to operate vehicles that NTSA had individually verified while the case remained pending.
The Sacco argued that shutting down its entire fleet had far-reaching consequences for its operations and the livelihoods of drivers, conductors and other employees.
The latest court orders provide temporary relief, but the Sacco's vehicles must meet NTSA's individual verification requirements. The substantive dispute over the tribunal's decision remains unresolved, with the matter scheduled for further directions on November 10.
Source: TUKO.co.ke