A group of thirteen matatu operators has returned to the High Court seeking urgent protection from a directive issued by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority and Nairobi City County, saying the new rule banning passenger pickups and drop-offs at fuel stations in the CBD is already causing serious strain on their daily work.
They say the directive was rolled out without warning and has taken effect in a manner that leaves them unable to plan or adjust their operations.
In their application, the transport operators state that the order was introduced suddenly, without any discussion or notice, yet it demands immediate compliance.
They argue that their businesses depend heavily on the fuel station stops within the CBD, and removing that option without a transition period amounts to unfair action by the authorities.
They tell the court that the directive forcing all matatus to stop any passenger-related activities at petrol stations is unreasonable because it was issued “without notice or a reasonable transition plan.”
They say the rushed enforcement is now disrupting a transport system that thousands of Nairobi residents rely on every day.
The operators warn that the rule will only make the situation worse as the December festive season approaches, noting that heavy movement during this period requires stable and predictable transport options. According to them, enforcing the ban at such a time “will likely create chaos,” leaving commuters stranded in a period when demand for public transport is highest.
They maintain that “there is no evidence showing that their activities at petrol stations pose a danger to public safety,” adding that similar stops continue in other counties without problems. T
hey insist that EPRA and City Hall have singled out Nairobi operators in a way that amounts to unequal and unfair enforcement of national rules.
Through lawyers Stanley Kinyanjui and Danstan Omari, the petitioners say the decision has exposed them to losses, major delays, and the risk of shutting down well-established operations.
They want the High Court to issue conservatory orders stopping the enforcement immediately, arguing that waiting any longer will leave them with damage that cannot be undone.
The lawyers are asking the court to treat the matter as urgent, saying every passing day makes the petition less useful because the directive is already being implemented.
They say failure to grant temporary orders will make the entire case meaningless, as operators and commuters are already experiencing disruptions and financial strain.
