NAIROBI, Kenya—Fresh questions have emerged over the enforcement of a directive by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) after vehicles associated with Nicco Movers Sacco were spotted operating on Saturday, barely a day after the authority revoked the Sacco’s operator licence following the death of a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) student.
The sighting of the vehicles ferrying passengers along Nairobi routes has raised concern among members of the public, especially after NTSA directed law enforcement officers to impound any vehicle found operating under the Sacco following the revocation.
Several commuters expressed surprise at seeing the minibuses continue with normal operations despite the regulator’s announcement, with some questioning whether the directive was being enforced on the ground.
The development comes in the wake of the tragic death of 23-year-old KMTC student Eugene Mutuku, whose death sparked national outrage and renewed scrutiny of passenger safety in Kenya’s public transport sector.
According to investigations by authorities, Mutuku allegedly fell from a moving matatu operating under Nicco Movers Sacco along Thika Road after an altercation involving crew members. Reports indicated that the student sustained fatal injuries following the incident.
The circumstances surrounding his death triggered widespread condemnation from Kenyans, student leaders, road safety advocates and public transport stakeholders, many of whom called for swift action against those responsible.
Following investigations, NTSA announced the revocation of Nicco Movers Sacco’s operator licence, effectively barring the Sacco from operating public service vehicles on Kenyan roads.
In a statement issued on Friday, NTSA said the decision followed findings linking the Sacco to serious breaches of public transport regulations and safety standards.
The authority further directed traffic police and enforcement agencies to immediately impound any vehicle operating under the Sacco and take appropriate legal action against violators.
“The Authority has revoked the operator licence for Nicco Movers Sacco with immediate effect,” NTSA said, adding that law enforcement agencies had been instructed to ensure full compliance with the directive.
Impunity
However, observations made on Saturday appeared to paint a different picture, with vehicles associated with the Sacco continuing to transport passengers along some routes.
The apparent continued operation of the vehicles has now raised concerns over the effectiveness of enforcement efforts and whether sufficient coordination exists between regulatory agencies and officers on the ground.
Road safety advocates argue that regulatory directives lose public confidence when enforcement is not visible or immediate, particularly in cases involving loss of life.
The situation has also sparked debate on social media, where some Kenyans questioned how vehicles linked to a Sacco whose licence had been revoked could continue operating openly without being impounded.
Transport sector observers say the incident highlights the broader challenge of ensuring that regulatory decisions are swiftly translated into action at enforcement level.
As public concern grows, attention is now turning to both NTSA and the National Police Service for clarification on the status of enforcement operations and the measures being taken against vehicles operating contrary to the directive.
For the family of Eugene Mutuku and many Kenyans who followed the case, the continued presence of the vehicles on the road is likely to fuel further questions about accountability and the implementation of road safety regulations.
The incident has become more than a transport enforcement issue; it is increasingly being viewed as a test of the government’s commitment to ensuring justice, accountability and passenger safety in Kenya’s public transport sector.
