NTSA suspends Super Metro Sacco license after public outcry


A fleet of new Super Metro buses. PHOTO/ https://web.facebook.com/SuperMetroLtd

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has suspended the license of Super Metro Sacco, affecting over 500 buses belonging to the popular passenger transport bus plying various routes within Nairobi and satellite towns.

In a statement on Thursday, March 20, 2025, NTSA disclosed that the Super Metro Bus Sacco was found in contravention of several safety regulations.

“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,” NTSA said in the notice to the public.

“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.”

Contravention of rules

In their analysis of the buses registered with the Super Metro Sacco, NTSA observed that out of 523 buses, 15 had expired inspection certificates while eight vehicles had expired Road Service Licenses (RSL).

The transport regulator equally noted that five buses had expired speed limiter certificates, 88 vehicles were not transmitting speed data, 171 vehicles had no speed limiter records, seven vehicles had no speed limiter vendor details and 109 vehicles were operating beyond the speed limit of 80Kph.

NTSA equally revealed that the driving credentials of the drivers assigned to the Company’s portal do not meet the required qualifications which present a major road safety risk.

Conditions for return

In their statement, NTSA has set the conditions for the return of the buses on the road as compliance of the 294 vehicles with various violations to the respective speed limiter vendors for checks, the presentation of 294 vehicles for compliance inspection at Likoni Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre and obtain compliance reports for all the vehicles.

Also, the Sacco must present 42 drivers, out of the 109 drivers with speed violations, for a retest at the Likoni Driver Test Centre.

NTSA notes that 64 Super Metro drivers failed a retest on March 10, 2025, and this led to the suspension of their respective driving licenses. They stated that the Sacco must immediately discontinue unqualified drivers.

The Sacco has also been ordered 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.

The Sacco also must 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. The exercise shall be facilitated by NTSA officers.

“Members of the public are cautioned against boarding vehicles belonging to Super Metro Limited. The Traffic Department is required to impound vehicles belonging to the Company found operating contrary to the suspension,” NTSA advised.