By:Rhoda Bogeta
Thirteen matatu operators have filed an urgent petition at the High Court seeking to suspend a directive barring passenger pick-ups and drop-offs at petrol stations within Nairobi’s Central Business District.
In their application, the companies accuse the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and the Nairobi County Government of issuing abrupt instructions that have disrupted their operations and threatened the stability of public transport within the city.
The firms, among them ENA Coach, Easy Coach, Mololine, North Rift Shuttle and Transline Classic, say the decision was communicated without stakeholder consultation and amounts to an unlawful restriction on their licensed business activities.
They argue that the enforcement of the ban during the busy festive season could leave thousands of travelers stranded, with long-distance routes and shuttle services being the most affected.
The petitioners further contend that there is no evidence linking their operations at petrol stations to safety risks, noting that similar services continue to operate in other regions without interference.
Represented by lawyers Stanley Kinyanjui and Danstan Omari, the operators question what they term as discriminatory treatment of Nairobi commuters compared to those in other counties.
In the court papers, the companies warn that the directive would cause immediate and irreparable financial loss if not halted, as fuel stations have served as their designated staging points for years.
They are now asking the High Court to issue conservatory orders stopping the implementation of the directive, arguing that any delay would defeat the purpose of the case.
The matter has been placed before the duty judge for directions.
