The High Court has granted Nicco Movers Limited temporary relief in its dispute with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) over the suspension of its public service vehicle (PSV) operator’s licence.
Justice Janet Mulwa certified the company’s fresh application as urgent on October 22, 2026, and granted prayers two and three of the motion on an interim basis pending further directions. The matter will return to court on November 10, 2026, for directions on how the application will be determined.
The latest application follows an October 21, 2026, ruling in which the court dismissed Nicco Movers’ earlier application seeking to set aside the decision of the Transport Licensing Appeals Board that suspended its PSV operator’s licence.
In that ruling, Justice Mulwa found no merit in the company’s application and dismissed it without an order as to costs. The Tribunal had suspended the operator’s licence with immediate effect, giving the company seven days to address ten concerns raised by NTSA. It further directed that the licence could be revoked if the company failed to comply within the prescribed period.
Nicco Movers has now returned to court, arguing that the continued suspension threatens its operations, employees, contractual obligations and transport services. The company says its fleet comprises 159 motor vehicles and that suspending the operator’s licence affects its ability to conduct lawful business across the fleet.
In its fresh application, through Danstan Omari Associates and Advocates, the company had asked the court to review and vary the October 21 ruling, arguing that the decision did not adequately consider inspection records, NTSA receipts and other documents it says demonstrate compliance with the Tribunal’s directions.
The company also presented a financial statement generated on October 21, 2026, showing credit entries of Sh.105,029,803 and debit entries of Sh.105,131,867 for the period between April 21 and October 21, 2026. The statement reflected a closing balance of Sh.388,448 and a loan repayment of Sh.2.5 million on October 21, 2026.
Nicco Movers contends that the suspension exposes it to continuing financial losses and threatens the livelihoods of its employees and the transport services it provides. It has offered to comply with any security or regulatory conditions imposed by the court, including verified vehicle schedules, periodic inspections, lawful insurance and licensing requirements, and continued NTSA oversight.
The company maintains that it is not seeking to avoid safety regulations but wants an opportunity to continue operating vehicles that have been verified as compliant while the substantive appeal is heard.
Justice Mulwa had previously noted that the Tribunal’s decision gave the company an opportunity to address the identified concerns and that the company had not demonstrated exceptional circumstances warranting the setting aside of the decision before determination of the appeal.
The matter is scheduled for further directions on November 10, 2026, when the court will consider the next steps in the application.
