Traffic offenders to pay fines instantly under new digital system to fight graft

Following the recent arrest of three traffic officers caught with Sh48,000 at the Globe Cinema Roundabout in Nairobi, the National Police Service has announced plans to introduce a digital system for instant traffic fines.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said the initiative will help curb corruption by allowing drivers to pay fines immediately after a traffic offence is recorded, thus reducing physical contact between traffic officers and motorists.

He also emphasised that the digitisation of traffic management will also lead to fewer traffic police officers on the roads.

“We are working to digitise traffic management by introducing instant fines. This will allow motorists to pay penalties immediately, minimising direct interactions between officers and drivers and reducing opportunities for corruption,” he said during his visit to St Joseph Allamano Secondary School Mbiriri in Nyeri County on Saturday.

The move comes days after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested three traffic officers in Nairobi earlier this week, who were found in possession of over Sh48,000.

Caught red-handed

The three; Corporal Oscar Serem Biwott, Constable Simon Kiplagat Nyunyutik and Constable Edwin Benedict Mubweka, were caught red-handed on Wednesday morning at Globe Cinema roundabout having collected Sh48,250 bribes within two hours.

The officers, stationed at the Central Police Station, were then escorted to EACC headquarters at Integrity Centre to record statements. EACC said the three suspects will be detained at Kilimani Police Station awaiting arraignment.

The Inspector General also revealed that the digitisation of police operations will extend to the introduction of an online Occurrence Book (OB) system, which will allow citizens to report complaints remotely and receive real-time responses from officers.

He said the digital OB system is expected to be operational within two months, with full implementation targeted for April 2025.

The Ministry of Interior had earlier announced on January 5 that it would roll out the system nationwide, alongside a platform for processing traffic fines, as part of broader efforts to modernise policing. The digital shift is expected to reduce the need for Kenyans to visit police stations in person, improving efficiency and service delivery.

The reforms align with a seven-year strategy recommended by the National Task Force on Police Reforms, aimed at increasing transparency and accountability within the police force.

Kanja, who also serves on the School Infrastructure Committee, was in Nyeri for the commissioning of a new gate and ablution block at St Joseph Allamano Secondary School. The facilities were funded by the People’s Republic of China.

School board chairman Victor Maina emphasised the importance of the new infrastructure, explaining that the school’s toilets frequently flooded during heavy rains, leading to expensive repairs.

“This is a low-lying area, and every time it rains, the school’s toilets would flood, forcing us to spend large amounts of money on repairs. We are grateful to the Ministry of Education for supporting this project,” he said.

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He also noted that the school continues to excel, with 11 students from the 2024 class securing admission to national universities.