The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued strict new conditions to hundreds of matatus linked to Naekana Route 134 SACCO, even as it partially lifted a suspension that had grounded the vehicles earlier this month.
In a statement released on Friday, NTSA confirmed that it had temporarily allowed 263 vehicles to resume limited operations until Monday, January 26, 2026, following orders from the Transport Licensing Appeals Board. The temporary clearance, however, comes with heavy compliance demands.
According to the authority, Naekana Route 134 SACCO has been instructed to submit a detailed compliance report by the same date. The Appeals Board will then issue further instructions after reviewing the submission.
Despite the reprieve, 128 matatus flagged for serious safety violations remain fully suspended and are prohibited from operating as public service vehicles. NTSA noted that the complete list of barred vehicles has been published on its official website.
The authority also reopened its online service portal to allow the SACCO to process compliance-related requirements. However, NTSA cautioned that the suspension lift does not amount to full clearance, insisting that major safety gaps identified earlier are yet to be addressed.
Traffic police and enforcement officers have since been directed to impound any non-compliant vehicles found operating under the SACCO.
The matatus were initially suspended over a series of violations, including overspeeding, tampered or worn-out speed governors, missing operational records, and expired inspection and licensing documents.
NTSA further introduced fresh regulations aimed at improving night travel and long-distance safety. Operators must now prove they have proper authorization for night operations, fatigue management systems, and clearly designated driver rest areas or changeover points.
Additional requirements include registered operational offices, approved routes with assigned vehicles, accurate passenger records, and up-to-date maintenance schedules.
The SACCO must also meet statutory obligations by submitting signed driver contracts, payroll records for the last six months, PAYE, NSSF, and SHA remittance documents, alongside compliance reports covering recent operational challenges and safety measures.
Moreover, NTSA has made road safety training mandatory for all drivers. The sessions must be documented with attendance lists, photos, minutes, and formal reports submitted to the authority.
NTSA emphasized that no license will be reinstated before a full safety audit is conducted, urging members of the public to avoid boarding Naekana Route 134 vehicles until official clearance is granted.
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