The High Court has granted a temporary reprieve to 13 matatu SACCOs operating from petrol stations across Nairobi after issuing orders stopping the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) from enforcing an eviction notice.
Justice Chacha Mwita ruled that the matatus should continue operating at the stations until the petition challenging the eviction directive is heard and determined.
Matatu SACCOs Say Eviction Would Cripple Operations
The SACCOs, represented by lawyer Danstan Omari, argued that the planned eviction would cause major disruption in the transport sector, destabilise normal operations, and endanger the livelihoods of thousands who rely on the petrol station stops as key pick-up and drop-off points.
They moved to court after receiving eviction notices from EPRA and the Nairobi County government instructing them to vacate immediately.
“We sought temporary relief because my clients received summons requiring them to leave the petrol stations with immediate effect,” Omari stated after the ruling.
He added that they had intelligence suggesting the evictions were scheduled to begin on Wednesday, November 19.
Court Orders Stakeholders to Seek a Joint Resolution
Justice Mwita directed legal teams representing EPRA, the Nairobi County government, the petrol stations, and the SACCOs to convene a meeting within seven days to explore a settlement and avert a transport crisis.
Omari confirmed that his team would write to the other parties to initiate the meeting as early as Thursday, November 20.
The outcome of the discussions will be presented to the court when the matter comes up again for mention on December 1.
Matatu Sector Tensions Rising
Earlier in the week, on Monday, November 17, matatu operators had threatened to strike, accusing EPRA and the Nairobi County government of intimidation and unfair treatment.
The SACCOs maintain that enforcing the ban on picking and dropping passengers at petrol stations within the CBD would paralyse their operations and severely inconvenience commuters.
