Faith Masita
President William Ruto has directed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Ministry of Transport to urgently accelerate the deployment of smart traffic cameras across all Kenyan cities as part of a nationwide effort to curb bribery and strengthen compliance with traffic regulations.
Addressing officials at State House, Nairobi, during the presentation of a traffic safety report, Ruto said the cameras — to be linked with an instant fines system — will make it easier for motorists to pay legitimate penalties without enduring lengthy court processes, a factor he identified as driving motorists toward paying bribes instead of facing the justice system.
“Part of the reason it is easy to pay a bribe rather than go to court is because it takes so long to pay a legitimate fine. That’s how we end up with the challenges we have,” Ruto said, adding: “Rolling out the cameras is not rocket science. We have had them before, so let’s implement them now.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Davis Chirchir confirmed that the rollout will be completed within a month under an investor-supported programme, underscoring government commitment to modernise traffic enforcement and reduce opportunities for corruption at roadside checkpoints.
The smart camera system is expected not only to capture violations such as speeding and red-light running but also to automatically issue fines, eliminating many of the manual interactions that have, at times, enabled officers to solicit bribes. Advocates of the technology say it could signal a major shift in how Kenya enforces road safety — an area long dogged by complaints of bribery and inconsistent application of traffic laws.
Kenya has grappled with public frustration over traffic police misconduct, with multiple civil society voices and road users highlighting instances where drivers opt to pay unofficial fees rather than face delays in courts or formal channels. By fast-tracking smart cameras, the government aims to address both road safety and corruption concerns that have burdened urban transport systems.
Officials say the integration of cameras with digital payment platforms will allow offenders to settle fines quickly online, reducing congestion in courts and enhancing transparency in enforcement. The broader plan also includes public awareness campaigns to ensure motorists understand the new system once fully operational.
Addressing officials at State House, Nairobi, during the presentation of a traffic safety report, Ruto said the cameras — to be linked with an instant fines system — will make it easier for motorists to pay legitimate penalties without enduring lengthy court processes, a factor he identified as driving motorists toward paying bribes instead of facing the justice system.
“Part of the reason it is easy to pay a bribe rather than go to court is because it takes so long to pay a legitimate fine. That’s how we end up with the challenges we have,” Ruto said, adding: “Rolling out the cameras is not rocket science. We have had them before, so let’s implement them now.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Davis Chirchir confirmed that the rollout will be completed within a month under an investor-supported programme, underscoring government commitment to modernise traffic enforcement and reduce opportunities for corruption at roadside checkpoints.
The smart camera system is expected not only to capture violations such as speeding and red-light running but also to automatically issue fines, eliminating many of the manual interactions that have, at times, enabled officers to solicit bribes. Advocates of the technology say it could signal a major shift in how Kenya enforces road safety — an area long dogged by complaints of bribery and inconsistent application of traffic laws.
Kenya has grappled with public frustration over traffic police misconduct, with multiple civil society voices and road users highlighting instances where drivers opt to pay unofficial fees rather than face delays in courts or formal channels. By fast-tracking smart cameras, the government aims to address both road safety and corruption concerns that have burdened urban transport systems.
Officials say the integration of cameras with digital payment platforms will allow offenders to settle fines quickly online, reducing congestion in courts and enhancing transparency in enforcement. The broader plan also includes public awareness campaigns to ensure motorists understand the new system once fully operational.
