By F, KNA
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is shifting Kenya’s road safety enforcement into the digital age with a massive rollout of 1,000 smart cameras designed to catch and fine traffic offenders instantly.
The NTSA, in partnership with the National Police Service on February 25, 2026 under the directive of the Ministry of Transport has the initiative to curb rising road fatalities and eliminate the “human element” that often leads to bribery and delays in justice.
By automating enforcement, the NTSA expects to create a culture of continuous compliance rather than motorists only behaving when they spot a police uniform.
Installation of AI powered traffic cameras that automatically detect violations such as speeding, lane blurring, and seatbelt neglect will send instant fines via SMS to the offender’s mobile phone. This cuts Across all major highways and urban “black spots,” starting with the Thika Superhighway and Mombasa Road.
Following a successful pilot phase in late 2024, full implementation is scaling up throughout 2025 and 2026 to reduce road carnage, bypass the backlog of traffic cases in the Judiciary, and eliminate roadside corruption by removing cash transactions between motorists and officers.
This is by the high-definition cameras capturing the vehicle’s number plate and the driver’s face. The system links this data to the NTSA database, generates an e-ticket, and prompts the owner to pay via e-Citizen or M-Pesa immediately.
Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary for Transport states, “We want to make enforcement transparent. When there is instant discipline, people tend not to misbehave on the road. This system ensures that every offender is held accountable without the need for a physical chase.”
George Njao, Director General, NTSA says “The data is now accurately captured. Our next phase is rolling out additional kits to ensure that no corner of our major highways is left unmonitored. This is about saving lives through technology.”
However motorists have mixed reactions on this implementation as Peter Murima, the Chairman of the Motorists Association of Kenya brought grievances to the national stage in February 2026 said, “The problem isn’t the rules; it’s the suddenness. You are riding towards Thika, minding the flow of traffic, and before you even reach Juja, your phone pings with an SMS for a Sh3,000 fine. They say it’s for safety, but how does an instant fine help me avoid a pothole or a reckless matatu in the moment? We want safe roads, but we don’t want to be treated like ATMs for the government.”
Despite mixed reactions, the outlined benefits are such as zero bribery and automating the fine, the opportunity for “negotiation” at the roadside is removed. Court decongestion, as Minor traffic offenses are handled via mobile payment, freeing up the court system for more serious crimes and 24/7 Monitoring as unlike police roadblocks, cameras do not get tired, ensuring roads are safe even in the middle of the night.
The mission of the NTSA isn’t just about enforcing rules or managing digital portals, it’s about fostering a culture of responsibility. As technology continues to streamline interaction with road safety systems, the ultimate success lies in the hands of the citizens. By balancing efficient regulation with individual mindfulness, to transform roads from mere transit points into safe corridors for everyone.