The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) of Kenya has disclosed that it issued instant traffic fines totaling approximately KSh 234 million during a pilot program that started on March 9, 2026. However, the authority has collected only KSh 37 million, leaving KSh 197 million unpaid. The pilot program utilized an automated enforcement system with smart cameras to detect traffic offenses such as speeding, lane violations, and seat-belt non-use.
The instant fine system sent offenders an SMS with a penalty ranging from KSh 500 to KSh 10,000 and a seven-day payment window at Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) branches. The program was halted three days after its launch on March 12, 2026, when the High Court issued a conservatory order following a petition that argued the contactless enforcement denied motorists a constitutional right to a fair hearing.
The NTSA withdrew its "Go Live" notice on March 27, 2026, citing procedural gaps and the need for public education. A separate challenge by the Road Safety Association of Kenya led to a High Court suspension of the underlying public-private partnership with Pesa Print Limited on May 29. The suspension has prevented the authority from collecting the outstanding fines.
Director General Nashon Kondiwa disclosed the figures to the Senate ICT Committee, confirming that all outstanding fines were recorded before the High Court's conservatory order froze the system. Kondiwa emphasized that the fines are not a revenue-generation tool for NTSA; instead, proceeds are directed to the national treasury.
Existing traffic-offense rules remain enforceable despite the suspension of the instant fine system. The authority is working to address the legal loopholes and is targeting November 26, 2026, for a provisional restart of the instant-fine system, pending resolution of the court orders and a review of the Traffic Act.
The NTSA's automated enforcement system was designed to improve road safety by detecting and penalizing traffic offenses. However, the program's implementation has been delayed due to the court challenges. The authority is expected to engage with stakeholders to ensure a smooth rollout when the system is reinstated.
The NTSA is committed to enhancing road safety in Kenya and is working to resolve the outstanding issues that have hindered the implementation of the instant fine system. The authority aims to restart the program in a manner that is fair, efficient, and effective in reducing traffic offenses and promoting road safety.
Key points
- The NTSA has collected only KSh 37 million of the KSh 234 million in instant fines issued during the pilot program.
- The instant fine system was halted due to court challenges that argued the contactless enforcement denied motorists a constitutional right to a fair hearing.
- The NTSA is targeting November 26, 2026, for a provisional restart of the instant-fine system, pending resolution of the court orders and a review of the Traffic Act.
