The High Court of Kenya has dismissed a petition seeking to suspend the rollout of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) new instant traffic fines system.
The petition was filed by driver Kennedy Maingi Mutwiri, who argued that the automated system grants NTSA excessive powers that could be misused to harass motorists. However, the court declined to halt the program, allowing the authority to continue its enforcement.
Launched on Monday, the instant fines system uses cameras to detect speeding vehicles and issue fines immediately. The initiative has sparked public debate, with some motorists expressing concerns over high penalties and potential misuse of the technology.
NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa defended the system, emphasizing that the primary goal is to improve road safety and eliminate corruption in traffic enforcement.
“The instant fine management is not about collecting cash, it is about bringing sanity to our roads. Eliminating corruption is another key issue. By digitising the process, we remove human negotiation,” Kondiwa stated.
The Director General explained that the camera system captures vehicles at the exact moment they exceed speed limits, providing photographic evidence to resolve disputes. Vehicle owners will be held responsible for fines unless they can identify the actual driver at the time of the violation.
Addressing concerns over unclear speed signage, Kondiwa confirmed that all camera-monitored areas will feature clearly marked speed limits, tailored to the design and layout of each road.
For now, fines will be paid through KCB Bank, with NTSA planning to expand payment options as motorists familiarize themselves with the new system.
The instant traffic fines rollout represents a major shift in Kenya’s approach to road safety enforcement, combining digital technology and automation to enhance compliance and reduce opportunities for corruption.
