A fresh twist has emerged in the case pitting 13 matatu saccos against the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and the Nairobi City County after their lawyer, Danstan Omari, wrote to Chief Justice Martha Koome seeking that tomorrow’s hearing be conducted physically at the Milimani Ceremonial Hall due to overwhelming public interest.
In the letter dated 18 November 2025 and addressed to the Chief Justice, the Principal Judge and Justice Chacha Mwita, the saccos explain that the directive issued by EPRA and Nairobi County ordering an immediate shutdown of their operations at TOTAL and OLA petrol stations has caused widespread panic across the sector. The matter was certified urgent by Justice Mwita, who also directed that it be heard tomorrow.
Omari says the 13 saccos intend to attend the proceedings in large numbers, noting that the turnout is expected to exceed 1,000 people from the wider matatu industry. He argues that a normal courtroom cannot accommodate such a crowd, making the Ceremonial Hall the most suitable venue.
According to the petitioners, the shutdown directive has far-reaching implications on thousands of operators whose livelihoods depend on operating from TOTAL and OLA stations. They say the order has triggered confusion, business interruptions and a heightened sense of uncertainty.
With the hearing set for tomorrow, the petitioners are pushing for an immediate administrative decision, hoping the Judiciary will approve the move to ensure full industry participation in a case that could determine the fate of their operations in Nairobi.
