The High Court has temporarily blocked the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and the Nairobi County Government from evicting matatus operating at petrol stations across Nairobi. This ruling ensures that SACCOs can continue their daily operations until the petition challenging the eviction notice is fully determined.
The matatus, represented by lawyer Danstan Omari, filed the petition after receiving eviction notices from EPRA and the Nairobi County Government. Omari argued that forcing matatus out of petrol stations could cause confusion in the transport sector, disrupt operations, and threaten the livelihoods of thousands who depend on these pick-up and drop-off points.
“Our clients, who include both matatu owners and employees, were served summonses to vacate their operating points with immediate effect,” Omari said. “We sought temporary relief, and the court granted it, preventing any immediate evictions.”
High Court Justice Chacha Mwita directed all parties—including EPRA, the county government, petrol station operators, and the matatu SACCOs—to meet within seven days to discuss a resolution. The aim is to prevent a potential crisis should the evictions proceed. Omari confirmed that the meeting is scheduled to start as early as Thursday, November 20.
The court also set December 1 as the date for further hearings, when resolutions from the proposed meeting will be presented.
The dispute follows complaints from matatu operators who alleged harassment by the Nairobi County Government and EPRA. On November 17, matatu companies threatened to suspend services in protest against the planned eviction and enforcement of a ban on picking up and dropping off passengers at petrol stations within Nairobi’s Central Business District.
This ruling provides temporary relief to the matatu sector, allowing operations to continue smoothly while legal discussions progress. It also underscores the importance of dialogue between regulatory authorities and transport operators in resolving operational disputes.
