NTSA lifts suspension on 263 Naekana Sacco vehicles amid compliance saga

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The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Friday temporarily lifted the suspension on 263 vehicles belonging to Naekana Route 134 Sacco.

The move follows a ruling by the Transport Licensing Appeals Board (TLAB) in Appeal Case No. TLAB/E001/2026.

Under the terms of the order, the operator has until Monday to submit a compliance matrix to the TLAB, which will then issue further directions.

The development comes against a backdrop of regulatory enforcement after safety concerns and fatal accidents involving public service vehicles prompted NTSA to suspend several operators, including Naekana.

The Sacco had previously failed to meet statutory safety requirements under the Traffic Act and PSV regulations, leading to the grounding of its fleet and suspension of some driver licences.

In the original suspension, NTSA flagged 128 vehicles as unsafe for public service, which remain grounded. Only the 263 vehicles covered by the appeal ruling are temporarily cleared to operate, pending submission of the compliance matrix.

Traffic officers have been instructed to impound any non-compliant vehicles operating on public roads.

“The temporary lift is conditional. Operators must submit the compliance matrix by Monday, 26 January 2026. Failure to meet safety conditions will see the suspension reinstated, and traffic officers are empowered to impound vehicles that flout the rules," said the NTSA statement.

The NTSA service portal has been restored to enable operators to update records, apply for permits and manage fleet compliance online.

Authorities stressed that, despite the temporary lift, Naekana has not fully met major safety conditions imposed since the initial suspension.

The case highlights the growing regulatory push to ensure public transport safety in Kenya, where fatal crashes have previously prompted suspensions of PSVs and stricter driver assessments.

The TLAB appeal underscores the legal framework operators can use to challenge NTSA decisions, balancing enforcement with due process.