NTSA Begins Review of Minor Traffic Offences After Court Ruling on Instant Fine System

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has commenced a formal review of regulations governing minor traffic offences, following a significant legal setback to its digital enforcement strategy. The move comes in response to a High Court ruling that suspended the recently launched instant fine system, which had aimed to streamline how motorists settle minor infractions on Kenyan roads.

Appearing before the Joint Parliamentary Committees on Energy, Roads and Transport, Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir, addressed the status of the enforcement framework. The CS noted that the ministry is committed to legal compliance while ensuring that road safety measures do not infringe upon the constitutional rights of road users.

The High Court issued conservatory orders staying the implementation of the automated penalties after a petition challenged the legality of the system. The petitioner argued that the framework lacked adequate legal safeguards and could potentially lead to the harassment of motorists by giving the NTSA excessive powers without sufficient oversight.

Before the court intervention, the NTSA had activated the management system to allow for immediate payment of fines for offences such as speeding or lane indiscipline. This was part of a broader push to reduce the backlog of cases in the traditional court system and improve road discipline through real-time accountability.

During his parliamentary appearance on March 17, 2026, Chirchir emphasized that the ministry is working to address the legal gaps identified by the court. He clarified that while the government seeks to modernize traffic enforcement, the process must remain transparent and accountable to avoid abuse by enforcement officers.

The suspension of the instant fine system occurs amidst a wider rollout of transport reforms, including a planned resumption of mandatory vehicle inspections. The government remains focused on reducing high-severity crashes, particularly on critical corridors like the Marich Pass to Nakuru stretch, where heavy commercial traffic is expected to increase.

Road safety audits conducted by the NTSA and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) have already identified several high-risk sections of the Northern Corridor. Officials maintain that a robust fine system is a necessary deterrent to curb rising accident rates, provided it adheres to the judicial guidelines set forth in recent weeks.

The ongoing review will likely involve public participation and further legislative adjustments to ensure the fine schedule for minor offences is both fair and enforceable. For now, traffic enforcement will revert to established judicial procedures until the High Court makes a final determination on the legality of the automated system.