NTSA Ordered To Release Impounded Matatus, Even Those Linked To George Ruto

The High Court has issued conservatory orders directing the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to release impounded vehicles, including two matatus linked to President William Ruto’s son, George Ruto.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye on Monday, February 3 ordered NTSA to release the PSVs and return their confiscated registration plates pending a hearing and determination of the case. However, if the vehicles were seized lawfully under another court order, they do not have to be returned.

"Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the application, a conservatory order is hereby issued directing NTSA to return all confiscated registration plates to the affected matatus and release the impounded vehicles unless they are lawfully held under a valid court order," the court order reads.

This directive came after matatu operators moved to the High Court through advocates Danstan Omari and Shedrack Wambui over what they termed as blatantly illegal action from the police and the NTSA.

Omari, who was representing the Nganya Association, stated that matatu owners had incurred significant losses due to NTSA's enforcement measures, which have been in place since January 21.

In their court filing, PSV owners argued that operators feared their vehicles would be impounded for various infractions, forcing them to halt operations. The association also claimed that newer PSV models were being unfairly targeted.

"Due to these surprise crackdowns, our clients have been forced to park their vehicles in their backyards rather than risk impoundment and prolonged stays at police stations. Even brand-new vehicles have been unfairly flagged under the punitive and discriminatory inspection measures," the association lamented.

Matatus operating on routes such as Ongata Rongai, Ngong, Embakasi, Kiambu Road, and Thika Road have been among the most affected.

The authority focused on penalizing violations such as excessive graffiti and artwork, overly bright fog lights, and tinted windows, particularly on the driver's side.

Additionally, NTSA recently released a list of Nairobi’s most hazardous roads, with Outering Road and the Eastern Bypass ranking at the top. Incidentally, some of the impounded matatus operate along these roads.

The recently impounded matatus included “Moneyfest” and “Ambush", which were seized after videos surfaced showing them being driven recklessly and at high speeds, with two men riding on top of them, causing uproar and prompting action from NTSA.

John Mwangi, the driver of Ambush, and Dominic Amaya, the driver of Moneyfest, were charged with operating unroadworthy vehicles along Ongata Rongai and Lang'ata in Nairobi. The Kibera Law Courts fined each driver Ksh50,000 or six months imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to the charges.