NTSA Suspends Super Metro Licence, Explains Why

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has revoked Super Metro Limited’s operator license.

This will be in force until the company meets all requirements outlined in the Public Service Vehicles Regulations, 2014, along with other stipulated conditions.

In an official notice dated Thursday, March 20 and obtained by Viral Tea, NTSA also warned the public against using vehicles affiliated with the SACCO.

"This is to notify the Public that the Authority has suspended Super Metro Limited’s operator licence until the Company fully complies with the Public Service Vehicles Regulations, 2014 and other set conditions.

An image of a new fleet of Super Metro buses unveiled during launch on November 4, 2021. /SUPER METRO

"The decision was necessitated by the need to ensure the Company is not only compliant, but that it has put in place safety measures to protect the lives of its passengers and other road users," the notice read in part.

In the comprehensive statement, NTSA revealed that in compliance with the Traffic Act and the NTSA (Operation of Passenger Service Vehicles) 2014, 523 vehicles belonged to the popular Nairobi Metropolitan Sacco, but only 15 vehicles had expired inspection certificates, and eight vehicles had expired Road Service Licences (RSL). 

NTSA noted that a total of five vehicles had expired speed limiter certificates and 88 vehicles were not 
transmitting speed data. Further, 171 vehicles had no speed limiter records, seven had no speed limiter vendor details and 109 vehicles were operating beyond the speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour (km/hr).

Additionally, the driving credentials of the drivers assigned to the Company’s portal were deemed not to meet the required qualifications which presents a major road safety risk. 

"The Company was also in violation of the provisions of the NTSA (Operation of Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 2014, Section 5, sub-section 1(e) which states: A person desirous of operating public service vehicles shall be a member of a body corporate which shall comply with labour laws and regulations including in respect to statutory deductions, health and safety of the workplace, Work Injuries Benefits Act (Cap. 236) insurance, statutory leave days and written contracts of employment for staff," added the statement.

As a consequence, Super Metro was ordered to present the 294 vehicles with various violations to the respective speed limiter vendors for compliance checks. Further, it must present 294 vehicles with violations for compliance inspection at Likoni Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre and obtain compliance reports for all the vehicles.

Super Metro was also ordered to present 42 drivers, out of the 109) drivers with speed violations, for a retest at the Likoni Driver Test Centre. "We note that 64 of the Company’s drivers failed a retest on 10th March 2025 and this led to the suspension of their respective driving licences," added NTSA.

The SACCO was also directed to immediately disengage unqualified drivers for the safety of all road 
users and to present signed contracts for their drivers and other staff including proof of compliance with Section 5(1)(e), six months record of staff payroll, PAYE, NSSF and SHA remittances. 

Super Metro was also ordered to conduct Road Safety Sensitization for ALL its drivers and submit to the Authority the sensitization report, photos, minutes of the session and the attendance register, an exercise that shall be facilitated by NTSA officers. 

NTSA will further conduct a Compliance Audit on the company, which has been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons over a series of road accidents that have resulted in multiple fatalities. The most recent incident, on March 12, involved a tout allegedly pushing a passenger out of a moving bus due to an unpaid fare.

Although the management responded by taking action against the driver and suspending him, numerous complaints have been raised about other drivers engaging in overspeeding and reckless driving.