Super Metro denies violations cited in NTSA license suspension

Matatu Sacco Super Metro has dismissed the grounds cited by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) for the suspension of its operating license, labelling them outdated and unfounded.

This follows the suspension of Super Metro's license by NTSA on Thursday, citing multiple violations of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) regulations, including expired vehicle inspection certificates, unqualified drivers, speed limiter infractions, labour law breaches, among other issues.

In a rejoinder, Super Metro stressed that it has been fully compliant with NTSA regulations and addressed concerns raised in the past.

“NTSA claims that out of 294 vehicles, five had expired inspection certificates, fifteen had expired Road Service Licenses (RSL), and several vehicles had issues with speed limiters. We confirm that all inspection certificates and Road Service Licenses for the mentioned vehicles were renewed prior to the suspension,” said Super Metro in a statement seen by Citizen Digital.  

“Additionally, upon identifying issues with speed limiters, we promptly reached out to our vendors, who rectified the problem across all affected vehicles. These corrective actions were completed well before the suspension, ensuring full compliance with NTSA standards.”

On the issue of unqualified drivers, Super Metro clarified that the 64 drivers who allegedly failed retests on March 10, 2025, had already completed the required retraining and retesting three weeks prior, as per regulations. The company emphasized that all affected drivers have since been recertified and are now fully qualified to operate their vehicles.

“The claim that our drivers do not meet required qualifications is therefore outdated and does not reflect our current operational status,” said Super Metro.

On matters of broader compliance with Public Service Vehicle regulations, Super Metro addressed NTSA's concerns about violations, including issues related to labour and statutory deductions. The company confirmed that it fully complies with all labour laws, by providing signed contracts for all drivers and staff.

Additionally, Super Metro maintains up-to-date records of PAYE, NSSF, and SHA remittances, which are available for review by NTSA. The company reiterated its ongoing commitment to the welfare of its workforce.

“SuperMetro Limited has been working diligently with NTSA throughout their investigation, providing all requested documentation and taking immediate action to address any identified issues. 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 SuperMetro for their livelihoods,” the matatu sacco said.

“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. We urge NTSA to review the updated status of our compliance efforts and reconsider this suspension.”