NTSA Launches Instant SMS Fines System, Offenders Have Seven Days to Pay

Motorists across Kenya will now receive instant traffic violation notifications via SMS after the rollout of a new automated enforcement system by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

The authority confirmed on Monday that the Instant Fines Traffic Management System is now live, marking a significant shift in how traffic offences are detected and penalised on Kenyan roads.

Under the new system, motorists who commit traffic violations will automatically receive text message notifications detailing the offence and the amount payable.

“The Instant Fines Traffic Management System is now live. The system will automatically issue traffic violation notifications via SMS to motorists where applicable,” NTSA said in a statement.

How It Works

NTSA has deployed over 1,000 smart cameras in strategic locations. There are 700 fixed units and 300 mobile units, monitoring major highways including the Thika Superhighway, Mombasa Road, and the Southern Bypass.

The cameras will detect at least 37 different traffic offences in real time, including speeding, lane violations, driving on pavements, and not wearing seatbelts.

When a violation is detected, the system cross-references the vehicle’s registration with the national database and sends an instant SMS notification to the registered owner’s phone.

The message informs the motorist of the offence committed and the fine amount payable.

The Full List: 37 Offences Now Tracked and Charge

The system monitors nearly four dozen violations, ranging from major safety risks to technical infractions.

Serious offences (KSh 10,000 fines):

• Driving without identification plates affixed properly

• Driving without a valid inspection certificate

• Exceeding speed limit by 16-20 kph

• Causing obstruction on a public road

• Owner of PSV employing an unlicensed driver or conductor

• Failure to fit the prescribed speed governor in PSV and commercial vehicles

Medium-level offences (KSh 5,000 fines):

• Driving a PSV while unqualified

• Driving on or through a pavement or pedestrian walkway

• Failure to stop when required by a police officer

• An unlicensed person driving or acting as a PSV conductor

• Common infractions (KSh 500 – KSh 3,000):

• Driving without a valid license endorsement: KSh 3,000

• Failure to obey traffic signs: KSh 3,000

• Using a mobile phone while driving: KSh 2,000

• Motorcycle rider carrying more than one pillion passenger: KSh 1,000

• Failure to wear a seatbelt: KSh 500

Passenger-specific fines:

• Passenger alighting or boarding at an unauthorised stop: KSh 1,000

• Travelling with body parts outside a moving vehicle: KSh 1,000

• Pedestrian willfully obstructing vehicles: KSh 500

Seven Days to Pay Fines

Drivers who receive the SMS notifications will be required to settle the fines within seven days through designated payment channels.

Failure to pay within the stipulated period will attract additional penalties and interest. At the same time, motorists with unpaid fines will also be blocked from accessing NTSA services, including transactions on the authority’s digital platforms.

NTSA warned that both the driver and the vehicle linked to unpaid penalties may be restricted from conducting services such as licence renewals, vehicle transfers, or inspections until the fines are cleared.

Shift to Automated Enforcement

The introduction of the digital system signals Kenya’s transition from traditional traffic policing to automated enforcement using surveillance technology.

NTSA says the fully automated system operates without direct human intervention, a move aimed at improving transparency and reducing opportunities for corruption in road policing.

“This process is fully automated and operates without human intervention, ensuring greater transparency, efficiency and accountability in traffic enforcement,” the authority said.

The system also integrates with Kenya’s Second-Generation Smart Driving Licence (e-DL) platform, enabling authorities to track driver behaviour and enforce penalties more efficiently.

The government hopes the automated system will strengthen compliance with traffic laws and help reduce road accidents, which remain a major public safety concern in Kenya.

By issuing immediate digital penalties, authorities believe motorists will be more likely to obey traffic regulations compared with the traditional system, where offences are enforced through physical roadblocks or court processes.

NTSA has urged motorists to update their contact details on the NTSA portal to ensure they receive official notifications related to traffic violations.

“Motorists are advised to observe all traffic regulations and respond promptly to any official notifications received,” notes the NTSA.

The digital enforcement system is expected to play a key role in Kenya’s broader efforts to modernise transport regulation and improve road safety through technology-driven monitoring.

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