Matatu owners are preparing to take the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to court as the battle over compliance intensifies.
On Monday, February 3, the High Court, through Justice Bahati Mwamuye, issued orders to NTSA to release all impounded matatus nabbed after an intense crackdown in January.
However, a day after the court order, several matatu owners claimed that the authority was yet to comply with the court order as they threatened legal action.
Lawyer Danstan Omari, who is representing matatu owners, spoke exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke where he revealed plans to sue NTSA over contempt of court.
An image of a matatu plying the Rongai Route. PHOTO/ Courtesy.
“They (NTSA) have not complied and that is why we want to file contempt court proceedings,” he told Kenyans.co.ke.
“We do not have a problem with the courts. The issue is with NTSA who have still impounded our clients’ vehicles despite the initial order.”
Dig Deeper: NTSA has been under immense pressure, particularly from the public, to bring back sanity on Kenyan roads, particularly in the city. A common trend that has emerged involves ordinary citizens directly sharing images and videos of matatus which openly flout traffic rules and regulations, demanding action.
What followed was an intense crackdown from NTSA, who were intent on nabbing matatus whose key infractions included over usage of LED lights posing a risk to other motorists, excessive use of graffiti which impedes the driver’s front view, and heavily tinted windows.
The NTSA also singled out matatus plying Ngong, Rongai, and Eastlands (Buruburu, Kayole), as the main culprits in flouting traffic regulations. One of the more viral cases of impounding saw a popular matatu known as ‘Moneyfest’ being impounded after a video of youths dangling on its roof went viral.
In their initial petition, matatu owners claimed attempts to intervene and secure the release of their vehicles and registration plates were ignored by the NTSA.
Since the crackdown began, matatu owners have been up in arms, lamenting harassment from the authorities. Sections of matatu owners resorted to temporarily ditching operations altogether for fear that their vehicles would be impounded. This, according to operators, has led to major losses.
While it is unclear why the vehicles are yet to be released, the case is set for mention on Tuesday, February 25.
Photos of matatus which were impounded by NTSA during a crackdown on Friday and Saturday.
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NTSA