Kenya has moved a step closer to implementing instant fines for traffic offences following Cabinet approval of the rollout of Second Generation Smart Driving Licences.
The move is aimed at modernising road safety enforcement and easing congestion in the courts.
The decision signals a major shift towards technology-driven traffic management as the government intensifies efforts to curb road accidents and improve compliance with traffic laws.
In the same sitting, the Cabinet also approved the establishment of the National Integrated Security Command and Control System, a platform designed to modernise public safety infrastructure and strengthen coordinated national security response.
The new system will replace the current obsolete platform with an integrated, technology-driven architecture that links multiple security agencies, enabling real-time intelligence sharing and faster response to incidents.
According to a dispatch from State House, the rollout of the Second Generation Smart Driving Licences will be undertaken through a public–private partnership, using innovative financing arrangements.
“The smart licences will be integrated with an instant fines system, a mobile licence wallet, and a driver merit and demerit points framework.”
The government says these measures are intended to enhance road safety, improve accountability among motorists, and modernise the country’s licensing and enforcement regime.
Under the proposed digital enforcement framework, traffic offences will be detected using smart cameras installed at major junctions and highways.
The cameras will automatically capture violations such as speeding, running red lights, and using mobile phones while driving.
Footage from the cameras will be relayed to an Intelligent Transport Management System housed in a central control room, where offences will be verified and processed electronically.
Once a violation is confirmed, the offender will receive an instant SMS notification detailing the nature of the offence, the time and location it occurred, and the amount of the fine.
Motorists will be required to pay the fine immediately using mobile money platforms such as M-PESA or other approved digital payment systems.
The system is designed to eliminate the need for physical interaction with traffic police officers, a move officials say will significantly reduce corruption and delays.
The instant fines system will be fully integrated with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the National Police Service and the Judiciary, allowing seamless digital enforcement and record-keeping.
Minor traffic offences will be handled administratively through the digital platform, reducing the number of cases that end up in court and helping to clear long-standing backlogs in traffic courts.
The Cabinet approval also covers the initial deployment of the National Integrated Security Command and Control System, which will prioritise major urban centres and transport corridors, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret and key border counties.
The system is expected to enhance coordination among security agencies and improve response times to both traffic and broader public safety incidents.
Officials say the digital traffic enforcement system is part of a wider effort to modernise road safety management in Kenya.
Recent reforms have included the introduction of smart driving licences with integrated demerit points and mobile wallets, enabling authorities to track repeat offenders and promote responsible driving behaviour.
The urgency of the reforms is underscored by road safety statistics. Kenya recorded 3,397 road deaths in the first nine months of 2025, highlighting the persistent danger on the country’s roads and the need for more effective enforcement measures.
Government officials argue that the instant fines system will not only improve compliance and accountability but also support data-driven road safety interventions and enhance revenue collection.
Legislation to provide the legal framework for the instant fines system is expected to be tabled in Parliament in the coming months, paving the way for full implementation once approved.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!