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The Nyeri High Court has temporarily halted the relocation of matatu operators from three major bus stages in Nyeri to a newly built Sh600 million facility in the Asian Quarters.
Judge Mogare Dennis Kizito issued a conservatory order on Friday, preventing the relocation after matatu SACCOs filed an urgent petition.
The county government, through Transport County Executive Abdi Hussein, had instructed the operators to move to the new station within seven days, citing overcrowding at the current bus parks.
The new modern facility, funded by the World Bank under the Kenya Urban Infrastructure Program, is considered Nyeri’s flagship project.
However, SACCOs, led by 2NK SACCO Chairman James Kahiro, challenged the move in court, arguing that the relocation was unfair.
Kahiro argued that moving the matatus to the new facility would undo the progress made over the past 50 years operating from the three existing bus parks.
In his ruling, Justice Kizito noted that the seven-day relocation notice did not take into account the public interest, the smooth execution of the policy, or the effects on all stakeholders. He said this warranted the issuance of orders to maintain the current situation.
He stated, “In that regard, it is hereby directed that, pending further directions, I issue a conservatory order requiring the applicants not to relocate to the newly designated operating sites.”
The ruling applies only to the SACCOs involved in the case. The court will review the matter on November 27.
