Kenya's High Court has blocked the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) from evicting 13 matatu operators from petrol stations in Nairobi. Judge Enock Chacha Mwita said the move would cause major chaos during Christmas and New Year. He ordered stakeholders to meet and submit a report by December 1, 2025.
The High Court has issued an order blocking the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) from evicting 13 matatu companies that serve over one million passengers annually and employ more than 200,000 workers. These companies include Ena Investment Limited, Transline, Prestige, Kinatwa, Kam, Makos, Thika Road, Muna, Kamuna, Kangema Travellers, Libera Impex Empire, Inter-County Travellers, and Muna Shuttle Limited. Judge Mwita stated that removing these matatus, which serve over 15 counties including Murang’a, Embu, Kirinyaga, Machakos, Makueni, Kisii, Nyamira, Kitale, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Kakamega, would cause major chaos and political tensions.
The order stemmed from an application by lawyer Danstan Omari, who said EPRA issued a notice to evict them from OLA and Total Kenya stations at Afya Centre, OTC, and River Road. “I request the court to halt this EPRA action to evict matatus from operating at OLA (Afya Centre) and Total Kenya (OTC) stations and River Road,” Omari said. The companies filed the case in October 2025, seeking an injunction against EPRA, Nairobi County Government, Ezekiel Oyugi, and John Gaku, who filed a separate eviction suit.
The chairman of these companies, Clinton Kioko Wambua, said there would be no change in stations and appealed to President William Ruto to order EPRA, NEMA, and Nairobi County to stop interference. He showed that the companies pay Sh291.5 million in taxes to the county from 1,117 Nissan vehicles and 124 buses, and over Sh7.8 billion in national taxes. Eviction would cause Sh10 billion in losses and a Sh7.2 billion tax shortfall, along with allegations of Sh2 million bribes to county MCAs.
Judge Mwita urged lawyers from EPRA, the Attorney General, Nairobi County, and Omari to meet within seven days and submit a report by December 1, 2025. The main hearing is set for January 26, 2026. Oil companies like Total Energies and Ola Energy also oppose the county's order to close their businesses until complying with NEMA and EPRA regulations.