By Peter John
Thirteen matatu saccos have won temporary relief after the court directed the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) not to evict them from TOTAL and OLA petrol stations until their petition is fully heard and determined.
The order comes as a major boost to the operators, who say an abrupt shutdown directive jointly issued by EPRA and the Nairobi City County government has caused widespread confusion in the public transport sector.
The saccos, represented by lawyer Danstan Omari, told the court that the enforcement operation has not only disrupted the normal flow of business but also placed thousands of livelihoods at risk.
According to the operators, the affected fuel stations serve as essential pick-up and drop-off points, especially in high-traffic areas where alternative terminals are either nonexistent or already congested.
They argued that the attempt to eject them without consultation or a transition plan amounts to an attack on the industry and threatens to paralyze key transport routes across the city.
The petitioners further stated that the directive has bred uncertainty for drivers, conductors and commuters who depend on the designated stops for coordinated transport services.
They warned that unless the eviction is halted, the resulting disorganization would spill into the wider economy, affecting productivity and mobility.
With the interim orders now in place, the operators will remain at the stations as the court prepares to hear the full petition.
The matter is expected to set a precedent on how regulatory bodies and transport operators engage, especially where long-established public service patterns intersect with fuel station operations.
The court will announce further directions in the coming sessions as the case proceeds.
