NTSA: Instant traffic fines remain in force despite court-ordered suspension of camera expansion

Motorists will still face penalties under the instant traffic fines system despite court orders affecting the planned expansion of enforcement cameras, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has clarified.

The Authority said only the public-private partnership component has been suspended, but the Minor Traffic Offences Rules continue to operate across the country.

The clarification comes after public confusion over the status of the system following legal challenges raised against parts of its implementation.

NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa said the Minor Traffic Offences Rules, which guide the detection and punishment of traffic offences using automated systems and police notices, have not been stopped.

“We have orders from the Kiambu Law Courts directing us to keep records of payments and another order suspending the implementation of the PPP component,” Kondiwa said as quoted by the Nation.

He explained that the court orders only affect the planned rollout of additional cameras under the public-private partnership and not the wider enforcement framework already in use.

“It is important to note the difference between PPP implementation and the Minor Traffic Offences Rules implementation. They are not the same. No one has suspended the rules,” he said.

Traffic offences are still being detected using cameras already installed by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA). Enforcement also continues through manual police notices and digital tools used by traffic officers.

This means motorists can still be issued with instant fines for offences captured through the existing systems while the court case continues.

The instant fines system was introduced to improve compliance with traffic laws by allowing motorists accused of minor offences to pay set penalties without going through lengthy court processes. However, its implementation has faced legal challenges from motorists and civil society groups questioning how it is being applied.

Kondiwa said the matter remains before the courts and is set for directions on June 21.

“The courts instructed NTSA to proceed but keep the payment records,” he said.

Under the system, automated cameras, police enforcement and digital tools are used to identify traffic violations such as speeding, running red lights and lane indiscipline. The offences are then linked to vehicle registration details.

Once confirmed, the registered vehicle owner or driver receives a notice showing the time, place and nature of the offence, along with the penalty to be paid. Motorists are then required to pay within a set period, with all payments recorded as directed by the court.

Those who fail to pay within the required time may face further action, including prosecution or limits on access to NTSA services.

Kondiwa dismissed claims that the system is meant to raise revenue for the authority.

“These are Exchequer revenues, not NTSA revenue. NTSA’s focus and mandate are road safety. The National Treasury would be better placed to provide revenue projections,” he said.

He added that the court orders disrupted the original rollout plan of the public-private partnership programme, which had aimed to install 1,000 additional enforcement cameras within two years.

“Any existing schedule will have to be adjusted until the court process is complete,” he explained.

NTSA is also moving ahead with plans to integrate existing enforcement systems, including cameras operated by KeNHA, KURA and the National Police Service. The integration is expected to be completed within six months to strengthen automated traffic enforcement.

President William Ruto has supported the instant fines system, saying stricter enforcement is needed to reduce road deaths in the country.

While receiving a road safety report at State House, Nairobi, he directed the immediate rollout of what he described as “painful to pay” fines.

He said corruption and slow court processes have weakened enforcement, with some motorists bribing traffic officers instead of facing legal consequences.

The President added that the system is meant to improve compliance and accountability through fast enforcement and payment of penalties.