Motorists with unpaid traffic fines risk losing access to key National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) services after the rollout of a new automated Instant Fines Traffic Management System.
Under the system, traffic violation notices will be sent to motorists through SMS, and drivers who fail to clear the penalties within seven days will face additional consequences. The authority says unpaid fines will begin attracting interest after the seven-day period.
The new system will also block both the driver and the vehicle linked to the offence from accessing NTSA platforms until the outstanding amount is fully settled. This means affected motorists may be unable to access services such as driving licence renewal, vehicle ownership transfers and other online transactions.
The move is part of the government’s plan to strengthen traffic law enforcement using technology. NTSA Director-General Nashon Kandiwa said the automated system has been designed to operate without human intervention in order to promote transparency, efficiency and accountability.
The rollout follows a 21-year public-private partnership agreement between the government, KCB Bank Kenya and Pesa Print. The partnership aims to support technology-driven enforcement measures to curb speeding and reduce road accidents.
As part of the programme, the government plans to install a nationwide smart camera network consisting of about 700 fixed cameras along major highways and high-risk road corridors. In addition, about 300 mobile camera units will be deployed in accident-prone areas and known speeding hotspots.
While NTSA had earlier indicated that motorists would be able to pay fines through USSD, mobile money and banking channels, the authority has now clarified that all fines issued under the new system will be settled through KCB Group’s branch network.
NTSAThe automated enforcement system is expected to play a key role in improving compliance with traffic regulations while strengthening the monitoring of road safety across the country.
