The High Court has directed the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) not to evict 13 matatu SACCOs operating in petrol stations within Nairobi.

The ruling delivered on Wednesday, November 19, means that the SACCOs will continue operating in various petrol stations across Nairobi until the petition seeking to remove them is heard and determined in court.

Danstan Omari, who is representing the SACCOs, said EPRA asked his clients to leave the petrol stations immediately.

“My clients who are members of the matatu industry got summons for evictions from where they are operating, the petrol stations. Those summons were coming from EPRA, where they said they vacate with immediate effect,” Omari said.

Court Orders to Nairobi County & EPRA

However, Omari said they appeared before Justice Chacha Mwita, who has directed the Nairobi County government and EPRA to stop the vacation plans until the matter is heard and determined.

“We appeared before the judge today. We put it to the judge that there is imminent danger that these operators might be removed from their places of operation tonight. The judge has agreed with us and given that responsibility to the advocate of County Government and that of the Attorney General to ensure that no adverse action is taken against our clients until this matter is heard and determined,” he added.

Also Read: Court Orders Employer to Pay Househelp Ksh569,000

Meeting Between Parties

Further, Omari said Justice has ordered all the legal teams to converge and have a meeting within 7 days on how to resolve the issue and avoid a crisis.

“We shall be writing to those people today, inviting them for a meeting tomorrow, so that we can iron out the issues that are here so that on December 1^st, when we appear before Justice Mwita, we shall report on how the issues have been resolved,” he said.

Also Read: Court Frees Anti-Counterfeit Authority Chairman on Ksh2 Million Bond, Orders Passport Surrender

Omari Singles Out Two People

Omari said the SACCOs are very positive that the judge has understood their matter.

He claimed that there are two people who are public litigators who are trying to use EPRA to evict his clients.

Omari said the matatus will resume their work and operations at the petrol stations after the court ruling.

Follow our WhatsApp Channel and WhatsApp Community for instant news updates

Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi. PHOTO/ Capital FM.