Twelve Matatu Saccos operating within Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) have filed a response opposing efforts to have them removed from strategic pick-up and drop-off points at petrol stations near key areas like Ola Energy (Afya Centre) and Total Energies (Rhino), near the OTC petrol stations. The petition for their removal was filed by Ezekiel Oyugi and John Karuru, citing safety concerns due to overcrowding of passengers and hawkers. The petitioners argue that this congestion, coupled with the proximity of the stations to petrol tanks, poses a significant risk of accidents, with a potential explosion from something as small as a cigarette spark.
In response, the Matatu Saccos, led by Kinatwa, ENA, and others, have firmly denied these allegations. Through their legal team, they stated that these operations have been ongoing for decades without any major incidents, and there has been no documented case of danger linked to their activities at these terminals. The Saccos also criticized the petitioners, claiming the legal move was politically motivated rather than driven by genuine concern for public safety.
The Saccos argued that closing these terminals would have a wide-reaching economic impact. They outlined the potential loss of employment for 3,485 individuals across the 12 Saccos, as well as significant financial setbacks for fuel distributors, repair services, and tyre vendors, especially along major transport corridors. Additionally, they estimated that county governments would face losses from the closure of these terminals, with a collective loss of Ksh291,602,250 in annual revenue across multiple counties.
The financial repercussions would extend further, with the government potentially losing about Ksh2.86 billion in annual fuel tax revenue, based on the fuel expenditure of the Saccos. Service providers in the automotive and petroleum sectors would also face losses, estimated at Ksh7.87 billion annually, due to a decline in vehicle-related expenditures.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi has instructed the petition be formally served to the respondents within seven days, with a deadline for responses within 14 days. The case is set to be mentioned for further directions on January 26, 2026.
