The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) of Kenya issued instant traffic fines worth approximately KSh 234 million during its automated enforcement pilot phase. However, the authority only managed to collect KSh 37 million, leaving KSh 197 million unpaid. The pilot phase was launched on March 9, 2026, and was suspended shortly after due to court orders. NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa presented these figures to the Senate ICT Committee.
The instant fines programme deployed smart cameras to flag traffic violations, including speeding, lane infractions, and failure to wear seatbelts. Offenders received SMS alerts stating that penalties ranged from KSh 500 to KSh 10,000. Motorists had seven days to settle payments at designated KCB bank branches. Kondiwa emphasized that the objective of the programme was not to generate revenue but to improve road safety.
The programme faced immediate legal resistance, with the High Court issuing conservatory orders halting the system on March 12, 2026. A petition argued that contactless enforcement denied motorists their constitutional right to a fair hearing. NTSA withdrew its "Go Live" notice on March 27, 2026, citing the need to address procedural gaps and allow for public education.
A separate legal challenge came from the Road Safety Association of Kenya, which contested a 21-year public-private partnership between NTSA and Pesa Print Limited. On May 29, 2026, the Kerugoya High Court suspended that partnership, affecting the rollout of both the smart driving licence and the automated fines components.
Kondiwa acknowledged the consequences of the suspension for expansion plans, including the addition of 1,000 cameras over two years. He clarified that existing traffic offence rules remain enforceable, despite the suspension of the public-private partnership implementation.
NTSA is targeting November 26, 2026, as a provisional restart date, contingent on the resolution of outstanding court proceedings. The authority is also reviewing the Traffic Act to close legal loopholes and reinforce the framework governing enforcement.
The collected fines are considered Exchequer revenues, not NTSA revenue, according to Kondiwa. He emphasized that NTSA's focus and mandate are road safety, not revenue generation. The authority aims to resume the instant fine system once the court processes are complete.
Key points
- NTSA collected KSh 37 million out of KSh 234 million in instant traffic fines issued during the pilot phase.
- The instant fines programme was suspended due to court orders following a petition arguing that contactless enforcement denied motorists their constitutional right to a fair hearing.
- NTSA is targeting November 26, 2026, as a provisional restart date for the instant fine system.
