NAIROBI, Kenya—The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has revoked the operator licence of Nicco Movers 1 Sacco following investigations into the death of Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) student Eugene Mutuku, who was allegedly thrown from a moving matatu along Thika Road.
In a public notice issued on Friday, the authority announced the immediate suspension of the Sacco’s operations after what it described as a comprehensive review of its safety practices and regulatory compliance.
According to NTSA, investigations revealed serious lapses in the management and oversight of the Sacco’s fleet, raising concerns over passenger safety.
“The Sacco’s officials and management have lost control of the operation of their fleet, lack adequate safety protocols and have not demonstrated any efforts to address major safety concerns,” the authority stated.
NTSA further noted that vehicles operating under the Sacco pose a significant danger to road users and directed law enforcement officers to impound any vehicles found operating under the Sacco despite the revocation order.
The decision follows the death of Eugene Mutuku, a KMTC student whose case has sparked national outrage and renewed scrutiny of safety standards within Nairobi’s public transport sector.
Mutuku sustained fatal injuries after he was reportedly pushed out of, or fell from, a moving matatu along Thika Road on the morning of June 5 while travelling from Thika to Nairobi.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident may have stemmed from a dispute over a Sh50 fare between the student and the vehicle’s crew.
An autopsy conducted at Kenyatta National Hospital established that Mutuku suffered multiple traumatic injuries and severe internal bleeding consistent with a fall from a moving vehicle. Medical reports indicated that he sustained a dislocated hip, serious waist injuries and lost two front teeth during the incident.
Despite efforts by medical personnel to save his life, the student succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.
Police investigations have since intensified, with authorities launching a manhunt for the matatu driver and conductor who allegedly fled after the incident. The vehicle involved was later recovered abandoned in Nairobi’s Kariokor area.
Meanwhile, two directors of Nicco Transport Company have already been arraigned in court as investigators seek to establish individual responsibility and determine whether the Sacco failed in its duty to ensure passenger safety.
Mutuku’s death has elicited widespread condemnation from the public, with family members demanding justice and swift action against all those involved.
The incident has also reignited concerns over indiscipline and recklessness within sections of the matatu industry, with transport stakeholders calling for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and tougher penalties for operators found endangering passengers.
[KMTC student Eugene Mutuku. He died after he was allegedly thrown out of a moving matatu along Thika road, Nairobi. NTSA has since suspended the Nicco Sacco operating license where one of its fleet was involved in the accident. Photo/courtesy/June 12, 2026].
The tragedy comes barely days after another fatal road accident along Enterprise Road in Nairobi, where five passengers lost their lives when a matatu reportedly being driven recklessly overturned.
Road safety advocates argue that the two incidents underscore the urgent need for stronger oversight of public service vehicles, improved enforcement of transport regulations and greater accountability among operators entrusted with the safety of commuters.
As investigations continue, many Kenyans are hoping that the death of Eugene Mutuku will serve as a turning point in efforts to restore discipline and safety within the country’s public transport sector.
