Kenyan motorists could soon face instant traffic fines from November 26 if ongoing legal challenges to the system are resolved.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Director of Road Safety, Dr. Andrew Kiplagat, said the instant-fines system is already in place, but court cases challenging aspects of the program have delayed its rollout.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Monday, October 5, Kiplagat said NTSA was working to clear the legal hurdles ahead of the proposed date.
He added that the authority hoped the outstanding challenges would be resolved in time to allow the system to resume, with the main target being motorists whose behavior contributes to road crashes.
“NTSA is having a programme on instant fines, which again is not happening because of legal impediments and court cases,” Kiplagat said.
“Challenges are being addressed, and we believe that once this is finalized, we hope that by November 26 it will give us room to deter some drivers’ behaviors.”
The system is expected to target offenses including speeding and drink-driving, which NTSA identifies among the behaviors contributing to road crashes and deaths.
NTSA Reveals What Drivers Could Face as Instant Fines Return on November 26
Kiplagat also said authorities are pushing the reintroduce speed cameras as part of the enforcement system.
The cameras would be installed in clearly marked speed zones and automatically capture motorists who exceed the prescribed limits.
“The camera will capture the violation and send it, then give you time to pay, and if you do not pay, there are other procedures that follow next,” Kiplagat said.
The move would reduce reliance on physical roadside enforcement by allowing violations to be detected and processed digitally.
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Traffic Bribery
Kiplagat also spoke about the role of technology in tackling bribery during traffic enforcement.
He acknowledged that corruption can involve both motorists and enforcement officers, noting that some drivers knowingly carry money to offer officers after committing traffic offenses.
According to the officer, the expansion of automated enforcement could reduce unnecessary interaction between motorists and officers and strengthen accountability.
Bodaboda Riders also in NTSA Plan
NTSA is also working with counties on measures targeting motorcycle safety, with Kiplagat identifying motorcyclists as the second-leading category in road deaths.
In Nairobi, he said authorities had documented about 18,000 bodaboda riders under a management system designed to identify and track riders operating in different areas.
The system is intended to make it easier for authorities to identify riders even when they move between different parts of the city.
Kiplagat maintained that bodaboda riders remain subject to the same traffic laws as other road users, despite challenges in enforcing the rules.
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Senate Annulled Three Traffic Regulations
The announcement comes about two months after the Senate annulled three NTSA regulations over concerns about public participation.
The July 22 decision affected the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2026, Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules, 2026, and National Transport and Safety Authority (Operation of Commercial Vehicles) Regulations, 2026.
Kiplagat said the Transport Ministry was already in advanced discussions with Senate leadership over the three regulations.
He said the government was also reviewing the Traffic Act for weaknesses and gaps affecting enforcement.
The review includes regulations on drink-driving, heavy commercial vehicles and vehicle inspections, with the ministry seeking to expand inspection requirements beyond the categories currently covered.
Road deaths continue to rise
An average of 14 people lose their lives every day on Kenyan roads in what are commonly referred to as road accidents.
Between January 1 and October 4, 2026, a total of 3,995 people died in road crashes, representing a 9.2 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 3,657 deaths were recorded.
A total of 15,472 people also sustained injuries on Kenyan roads during the first ten months of 2026.
According to NTSA, the figures represent a 6 percent increase in serious injuries and a 3.5 percent increase in slight injuries compared to the same period last year.
NTSA data further shows that pedestrians accounted for the highest number of fatalities at 1,490, followed by motorcyclists at 1,061.
Passengers accounted for 662 deaths, while 352 drivers lost their lives during the period.
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