Super Metro Surrenders, Present Vehicles To NTSA For Inspection

A day after drivers of Nairobi matatu SACCO Super Metro protested the National Transport and Safety Authority’s (NTSA) decision to suspend its vehicles, the company gave in to NTSA's demands.

Videos seen by Viral Tea showed well-known commuter bus company vehicles lining up at the NTSA offices for inspection to adhere to traffic regulations.

The footage captured multiple Super Metro minibuses lined up at the NTSA inspection centre on Likoni Road, Nairobi.

In a separate clip, some Super Metro vehicles were seen parked at Kitengela Bus Park, while others appeared immobilized in Juja, Kiambu County. None of the minibuses operating under the Sacco were serving customers as of Saturday, March 22.

Super Metro buses queuing at NTSA's Likoni inspection centre in Nairobi on Saturday, March 22, 2025. /VIRAL TEA KE

This development follows criticism from some Kenyans who accused the bus company of defying the law by continuing operations despite the suspension.

However, on Thursday, March 20, Super Metro owners dismissed NTSA’s claims, calling the suspension of their license both unfair and prejudicial.

The company’s leadership asserted that the accusations were outdated and baseless, emphasizing that they had fully complied with NTSA regulations and already resolved the concerns outlined in the notice.

“The decision to impose a summary suspension despite our proactive compliance is not only unfair but also prejudicial to the thousands of employees and their families who depend on Super Metro for their livelihoods,” said the Super Metro bosses.

"As a major employer in Kenya's transport sector, this blanket ban threatens the economic stability of our workforce and disrupts essential services for our passengers."

On Thursday, March 20, while announcing the suspension, NTSA directed Super Metro to present its 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 the 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 NTSA officers shall facilitate. 

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