NTSA has announced that motorists will no longer be required to appear in court for minor traffic offenses under a new fines system set to begin on June 1, 2026.
In a statement released on May 28, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) said the government will operationalize a modernized enforcement framework for minor traffic offenses under the Traffic Act.
The agency said the changes are aimed at enhancing road safety for all road users, improving compliance with traffic laws, reducing congestion in traffic courts, and promoting efficiency, transparency, and accountability in traffic enforcement.
New Fine System
Under the new framework, motorists who commit minor offenses will be issued with a Police Notification of Traffic Offense instead of being summoned to court immediately.
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Instead, they may receive a Police Notification of Traffic Offence.
These offenses can be detected either by police officers during routine enforcement or electronically via traffic cameras and other digital monitoring systems.
According to NTSA, once sufficient evidence has been gathered, the notification will be issued to the driver or the registered vehicle owner.
These notifications may be served in several ways, including personal delivery by police officers, affixing the notice to the vehicle, or electronically via SMS, email, or approved digital traffic enforcement platforms.
“Motorists are therefore strongly encouraged to ensure their contact details in the NTSA registration system are accurate and up to date,” NTSA stated.
The agency added that each notification will contain key information, including the nature of the offense, the date, time, and location where it occurred, the penalty to be imposed, payment instructions, and the deadline by which the motorist must respond.
NTSA on Fine or Court Option
Upon receiving a notice, motorists have two options.
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They may admit liability and pay the prescribed fine within the stipulated period, or they may dispute the allegation in court.
NTSA stated that if the motorist chooses to pay the fine, the matter can be settled without the need for court appearance.
If the motorist chooses to pay the fine, the matter can be settled without the need for a court appearance.
However, the court retains the power to reduce or refund the penalty based on mitigating circumstances, if any, and administer demerit points against the driver’s license where appropriate.
The agency announced that failure to respond, pay fines, or appear in court when required may result in harsher penalties imposed by the courts.
Also, motorists have the right to access evidence such as photographs or video recordings supporting the alleged offense.
“Finally, NTSA assures the public that all personal data collected will be handled in accordance with the Constitution and the Data Protection Act,” NTSA concluded.
A detailed FAQ on the minor traffic offences is available on the NTSA website (www.ntsa.go.ke) for public use.
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I am really concerned. Are NTSA officers legally empowered to ‘investigate, determine and prescribe a penalty’ or is this a preserve of the judicial system?
This will create endless legal battles.