Lopha Multi Purpose Sacco, also branded as Lopha Travelers or Lopha Travels, is a cooperative of matatu owners and operators that runs public service vehicles mainly along the Thika Road corridor.
It is commonly referenced alongside other major Thika Road operators such as Super Metro, Travelers, and others.
The SACCO was established in 2004, according to public reports tied to its financing and expansion milestones.
It emerged during the period when the Kenyan government was formalizing the matatu sector under the Michuki rules and later the NTSA route‑licensing regime, which required all PSVs to be registered under recognized SACCOs.
Growth and Fleet Expansion
Lopha has grown from a group of matatu operators into an established public transport SACCO serving the Thika Road corridor, with both matatus and 33-seater buses in its fleet.
A major expansion came in October 2024, when Equity Bank financed 28 new 33-seater buses for Lopha. The financing was described as a significant milestone in the Sacco’s expansion.
The Sacco has also expanded its network beyond its traditional Nairobi CBD operations, with services extending towards Juja Farm and other areas along the Thika Superhighway.
Lopha MP Sacco: Ownership and Management
Public profiles describe Lopha as owned by 12 principal shareholders who manage its operations. Among the names cited are Ephantus Ithagu, James Mungai, Benson Lengete, Harrison Kamau, Alexander Waiganjo and Francis Thuku.
As a cooperative, Lopha’s registered member-shareholders hold formal ownership, while its leadership and directors manage strategy.
Routes and Operational Pattern
Lopha Travels primarily operates along the Thika Road corridor, connecting Nairobi CBD with areas including Kasarani, Roysambu, Ruiru and Juja. The Thika Road network includes established public transport connections between Nairobi, Ruiru and Juja.
The Sacco’s reported operating points include Odeon/Moi Avenue and Latema Road, with services also linked to areas such as Makongeni, Ruaka, Highridge and Westlands. Latema Road is a recognized matatu stage serving several northern Nairobi routes.
Some Lopha services extend towards Juja Farm and surrounding residential areas, reflecting the Sacco’s focus on connecting Nairobi with communities along and beyond the Thika Road corridor.
The vehicles operate under the Lopha Travelers/Lopha Travels branding. Route allocations for public service vehicles are subject to regulatory requirements governing Kenya’s public transport sector.
Fleet Characteristics and Discipline
Lopha has been described in industry and commuter accounts as one of the better-managed matatu Saccos, with its crews generally regarded as relatively disciplined.
The Sacco has also been adopting technology to monitor its fleet and crews. However, the rollout has not covered all vehicles, partly due to the cost of installing the monitoring systems.
A 2024 report indicated that many of Lopha’s approximately 56 buses had not yet been fitted with advanced crew-monitoring devices, showing that the technology adoption process was still ongoing.
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