The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has begun inspecting Super Metro Sacco’s fleet following the suspension of its operator licence over non-compliance with public service vehicle regulations.
The inspection, conducted on March 22, 2025, was prompted by an NTSA directive issued on March 20, 2025, that required all Super Metro vehicles flagged for violations to be presented at the Likoni Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre for compliance checks.
Violations
According to NTSA, a review of Super Metro’s operations revealed multiple regulatory breaches, including expired inspection certificates, road service licences, and non-functional speed limiters.
Out of the company’s 523 vehicles, 294 were found to have violations ranging from excessive speeding to failure to transmit speed data, and several had outdated safety certifications.
“On compliance with KS 2295-2023 (Maximum road speed limiters for motor vehicles Part 1: Performance and installation requirements), it was noted that a total of five (5) vehicles had expired speed limiter certificates, eighty-eight (88) vehicles were not transmitting speed data, one hundred and seventy-one (171) vehicles had no speed limiter records, seven (7) vehicles had no speed limiter vendor details, while one hundred and nine (109) vehicles were operating beyond the speed limit of 80 Kph,” NTSA statement reads in part.
The transport regulator also flagged Super Metro’s employment policies, citing failure to adhere to labour laws, including proper employment contracts and statutory deductions for drivers and staff.
“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 that 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,” observed NTSA.
The Traffic Department was instructed to impound any of the company’s vehicles found operating in defiance of the suspension.
Conditions set
To regain compliance and lift the suspension, NTSA directed Super Metro to conduct thorough safety checks on all flagged vehicles, ensure that all drivers meet the required qualifications, provide proof of compliance with employment regulations, and enroll its drivers in a mandatory road safety sensitization program conducted by NTSA.
“The company must present 294 vehicles with violations for compliance inspection at the Likoni Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre and obtain compliance reports for all the vehicles. The company must also present 42 drivers, out of the 199 with speed violations, for a retest at the Likoni Driver Test Centre,” NTSA stated.
Super Metro’s response
In response to the suspension, Super Metro strongly refuted NTSA’s assertions, terming them outdated and unfair.
In a statement issued on March 20, 2025, the company maintained that it had already addressed the issues raised by the regulator before the suspension was imposed.
Super Metro asserted that all flagged vehicles had been inspected, road service licences renewed, and speed limiter issues resolved well before NTSA’s directive.
“We assert that the allegations are outdated and unfounded, as we have been fully compliant with NTSA regulations and have already addressed concerns raised in their investigation,” Super Metro stated.
The company further stated that its drivers had undergone mandatory retesting weeks prior, and all affected drivers had been recertified in compliance with the law.
“The claim that our drivers do not meet the required qualifications is therefore outdated and does not reflect our current operational status,” the statement read.
The company also dismissed NTSA’s concerns over labour law compliance, stating that it had provided signed contracts for all employees and maintained up-to-date records of statutory deductions, including PAYE, NSSF, and NHIF remittances.
Super Metro decried the suspension as unjustified, arguing that it jeopardized the livelihoods of thousands of employees and disrupted services for passengers who rely on the transport company.
“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,” Super Metro stated, urging NTSA to review its compliance records and lift the suspension.
