The government has rolled out plans to introduce instant fines for motorists who break traffic rules, citing road indiscipline as one of the leading causes of accidents.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, speaking during the official opening of the National Road Safety Conference organized by NTSA in Mombasa, said the proposal is now in its final stages. He noted that the new system will rely on cameras at major junctions to enforce the Road Traffic Offences Act of 2016 by collecting data, identifying offenders, and issuing fines.
“We are in the final stages, and the Cabinet will issue a memo. We are bringing together the police, judiciary, and NTSA as the enforcers. We already have the building blocks of the proposal, which will also determine how the instant fines collected will be shared,” said CS Chirchir.
He explained that the process will use technology to capture violations at key road junctions, with footage sent to an Intelligent Transport Management System housed in a central control room.
“We do not want to overload our courts with petty offences. We understand that when there is instant discipline, people tend not to misbehave on the road,” he added.
CS Chirchir said the government is still working out how to finance the new system and keep the cameras operational in order to see its long-term impact on reckless driving.
The National Road Safety Conference, which brought together key players in the transport sector, heard various agencies explain how the Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS) would make roads safer and save lives.
“One of the key challenges facing road agencies in the country is funding. Instant fines will require collaboration between NTSA and the police to ensure offenders pay on the spot without lengthy processes. Some black spots remain unrepaired due to costs, with funding for such projects often tied to road safety,” said William Oginga from the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA).
Agencies argued that the system will also help police avoid bribery allegations since offenders will be issued a ticket or a paybill number for payment.
“The police or enforcer does not have to worry, just write you the ticket. It is then up to the offender to pay on the spot or later. Given the complexity of road safety funding, this initiative will add to the limited resources we currently have,” said Michael Muchiri from the Ministry of Transport during a panel discussion.
The NTSA, in its strategy document, identified drunk driving as a major risk factor and announced new measures:
“Another major risk behaviour is driving under the influence of alcohol. To address this challenge, the Traffic (Drink Driving) Regulations, 2025, have been developed,” the NTSA noted.
At the same time, the government unveiled several major road infrastructure projects aimed at cutting fatalities. They involve upgrading on the Nyali–Mtwapa–Kilifi road, widening of the Rironi–Mau Summit highway, dualling of the Kwa Jomvu–Mariakani road, and upgrading on the Kitale–Morpus road linking Kenya to South Sudan.
Additional safety interventions are underway at notorious blackspots such as Ngata Bridge in Nakuru, Bonje area in Kilifi, and the Kisumu–Kakamega highway.
In Nairobi, KURA is also constructing 13 pedestrian footbridges along the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor on Outer Ring Road to improve pedestrian safety.
