Jitters in LSK as NTSA rolls out instant fines system

NTSA Kisumu regional officers undertaking joint Road Safety checks with traffic police officers at Kombewa along the Kisian-Bondo road, February 24, 2026. /NTSA

A sense of unease has emerged within sections of the Law Society of Kenya following the rollout of automated instant fines by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) targeting traffic offenders.

The Instant Fines Management System, activated on Monday, March 9, uses high-definition smart cameras to detect traffic violations in real time and penalise offenders immediately.

The system automatically generates fines and sends notifications to motorists via SMS, effectively eliminating human intervention in the enforcement process.

“This process is fully automated and operates without human intervention, ensuring greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability in traffic enforcement,” NTSA director general Nashon Kondiwa said.

The development is part of the “Usalama Barabarani” initiative aimed at reducing road accidents and curbing corruption on major highways and in cities, with plans to eventually expand the programme to rural and feeder roads.

However, the move has drawn a sharp reaction from senior lawyer Peter Wanyama, a presidential aspirant in the recently concluded LSK elections won by Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama.

Wanyama expressed concern that automation of fines for traffic offenders could disrupt the legal profession and potentially reduce work opportunities for lawyers in the long run.

“During the LSK campaigns, I consistently warned lawyers that digitisation would disrupt legal services. Many did not heed this warning, but it is now becoming a reality,” he said.

He argued that the introduction of instant fines, which removes the need for litigation in many road-related offences, could mark the beginning of broader technological changes affecting the legal sector.

“The next phase will focus on digitising insurance compensation based on a pre-determined matrix, further reducing the necessity for lawyers. This raises an important question: how many law firms rely on traditional practices to generate income in this evolving landscape?” Wanyama asked.

Under the new system, fines are automatically billed to the registered owner of the vehicle, even in cases where the offence is committed by hired drivers such as those operating matatus or boda bodas.

The technology relies on artificial intelligence and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to cross-check vehicle registration plates with the NTSA database before issuing penalties ranging from Sh500 to Sh10,000 depending on the severity of the offence.

Motorists are required to pay the fines within seven days of receiving the SMS notification.

“Failure to settle the fine within the seven-day period will result in the amount due attracting interest. In addition, a vehicle or driver with a pending fine will not be able to transact on NTSA service platforms until the fine is settled,” NTSA warned.

Traditionally, lawyers in Kenya play a key role in traffic offence litigation by defending motorists accused of violations, particularly in serious cases that could lead to licence suspension or jail terms.

They represent clients in court, negotiate lower penalties, navigate legal procedures to ensure clients’ rights are protected and advise motorists on whether to pay a fine or contest it, depending on the strength of the evidence.

Even as Wanyama warned that instant fines could technically render lawyers redundant in traffic violation cases, many users responding to his post on X urged the legal profession to adapt to the changing landscape.

“Wakili, rather than resist this shift, the legal profession must adapt, innovate, and focus on higher-value legal services such as complex litigation. Progress cannot be halted to preserve outdated systems. The future of law belongs to those who evolve with it,” wrote Mugambi Amathi.

“Ndugu, fear not. Professions evolve. Lawyers survived the typewriter, the fax machine, and e-filing. They’ll survive instant fines too,” added Martin Tairo Maseghe.

He said the initiative, like many others of its kind, is aimed at delivering justice more efficiently.

“If a system works faster and cheaper for citizens, that’s progress,” he said. Another commenter drew parallels with Kenya’s 2015 digital television migration, which initially faced resistance from some major media houses but eventually proved transformative for the sector.

“Digitisation is not something to fear. It is simply the direction the world is moving toward. Many sectors are already adapting, and the legal profession will not be an exception,” another user added.

The cameras and sensors used in the automated system are configured to detect at least 37 different traffic offences, including speeding, lane indiscipline, obstruction, touting and the use of mobile phones while driving.

Whether Wanyama's concerns about automatically penalising offenders will render lawyers redundant remains to be seen as the intiative takes shape across the country.