Motorists in Kenya will soon receive traffic fines directly on their phones after the government introduced an automated system designed to detect violations and issue penalties almost instantly.
The new programme, overseen by the National Transport and Safety Authority, uses surveillance cameras placed along major highways and in busy urban centres to monitor driver behaviour.
Officials say the goal is simple: enforce traffic rules more consistently and reduce the number of accidents on the country’s roads.
Under the system, cameras will capture offences such as speeding, lane violations or failing to wear a seatbelt. Once recorded, the system identifies the vehicle and sends an SMS alert to the registered owner.
The message will state the offence committed and the amount payable.
Seven days to settle the fine
Drivers will have seven days to pay the penalty using approved payment platforms. Authorities say late payment will trigger additional charges.
Motorists who ignore the fines may also face restrictions when trying to access services from the transport regulator.
According to officials at the National Transport and Safety Authority, vehicle owners with outstanding fines could be blocked from carrying out transactions such as renewing licences or transferring vehicle ownership until the penalties are cleared.
A shift in enforcement
Kenya has long struggled with road safety. Police data and safety reports have shown that speeding, reckless driving and failure to follow traffic rules are among the leading causes of crashes.
Transport authorities believe technology can help address the problem by reducing reliance on manual traffic enforcement.
The automated system records violations directly and links them to vehicle registration details, creating what officials describe as a more consistent way to enforce the law.
Supporters of the move say digital monitoring can limit opportunities for roadside disputes and improve accountability.
Concerns from motorists
Some drivers have welcomed the idea, saying consistent enforcement could make roads safer.
Others, however, have raised concerns about accuracy, data privacy and the risk of motorists being penalised unfairly if vehicle details are incorrect or if someone else is driving the car.
Transport officials say motorists will still have the opportunity to challenge penalties through the appropriate channels if they believe a fine has been issued in error.
For now, the government says the message to drivers is straightforward: obey traffic rules, or expect a notification on your phone.