The government has changed the way it punishes motorists for a raft of minor road offences, in what will now see graduated fines imposed, with mandatory court appearances scrapped.
The changes took effect at the start of June, allowing motorists accused of certain violations to pay prescribed penalties, marking one of the biggest shifts in traffic enforcement in recent years.
The government says the system is intended to improve road safety through enhanced compliance with traffic laws, reduce case backlogs in traffic courts, and introduce greater transparency through digital enforcement and automated evidence collection.
Under the new framework, motorists who commit certain minor traffic offences will no longer be automatically arrested or taken to court.
Instead, they will receive a traffic offence notification requiring them either to pay a prescribed fine within a given period or to challenge the accusation before a magistrate.
The changes effectively introduce an administrative settlement mechanism for minor offences, while preserving motorists’ right to seek a judicial determination if they dispute the accusation.
How will motorists know they have been fined?
The notification can be delivered personally by a police officer, placed on the vehicle, or sent electronically via SMS, email, or approved digital traffic enforcement platforms.
Each notification must contain the nature of the offence, the date, time, and place where it occurred, the amount payable, and the deadline for responding.
The government is therefore urging motorists to update their contact details in the NTSA system to avoid missing important notifications.
Will traffic cameras now be issuing fines?
Yes. The government has expressly provided for offences to be detected electronically through traffic cameras and other digital monitoring systems.
Once sufficient evidence has been collected, a notice may be issued to either the driver or the registered owner of the vehicle without the need for a physical traffic stop.
The move underscores a growing reliance on technology in traffic enforcement as Kenya expands the use of intelligent transport systems on major roads.
What options does a motorist have after receiving a notice?
A notification does not amount to an automatic conviction.
A motorist may choose to admit responsibility and pay the prescribed fine within the stipulated period, or dispute the allegation and have the matter determined by a court if they believe the accusation is incorrect.
The government has guaranteed motorists the right to access evidence supporting the alleged offence, including photographs and video recordings captured by enforcement systems.
What happens if someone ignores the notice?
Failure to respond to a notification, pay the prescribed fine, or appear in court when required may result in more severe penalties.
A court may impose higher sanctions than the original prescribed penalty, depending on the circumstances of the case.
Authorities have warned motorists against treating the notifications as optional reminders that can simply be ignored.
What are demerit points and why do they matter?
The framework revives the use of demerit points on drivers’ licences for certain offences.
A motorist who repeatedly commits traffic offences may accumulate demerit points, which could eventually lead to suspension or cancellation of their driving licence.
The demerit system is designed to identify habitual offenders and discourage dangerous behaviour on Kenyan roads.
Which offences attract fines and how much will motorists pay?
The penalties vary depending on the offence committed.
Failure to carry a driving licence or failure to renew it, for instance, attracts a fine of Sh1,000.
Disobeying traffic signs, driving without the correct licence endorsement, and carrying excess passengers each attract a Sh3,000 penalty.
Driving on a pavement, failing to stop when directed by a police officer, and driving a public service vehicle while unqualified each attract a Sh5,000 fine.
More serious offences, including driving without a valid inspection certificate, operating a vehicle with improperly displayed number plates, and causing obstruction on a road, attract penalties of Sh10,000.
Speeding penalties are graduated depending on the extent of the violation, starting from Sh500 for exceeding the limit by six to ten kilometres per hour, rising to Sh3,000 for eleven to fifteen kilometres per hour, and reaching Sh10,000 for sixteen to twenty kilometres per hour.
Why is the government introducing these changes now?
The reforms come against a backdrop of rising road crashes and persistent complaints about inefficiencies in the handling of traffic cases.
Thousands of minor traffic offences end up in court every year, contributing to congestion in the justice system and delaying resolution of cases.
By allowing certain offences to be settled administratively and introducing electronic enforcement, the State hopes to improve compliance and free up court resources for more serious offences.
