Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has pushed for the reinstatement of the NTSA’s instant fine system, currently stalled by the Judiciary.

Speaking during the Interdenominational Requiem Service for the 16 victims of the accident at ASK Kabiru-ini Grounds, Nyeri County, on April 7, 2026, Kindiki argued that the measures are vital for public safety.

“We are requesting the judiciary to lift the orders that have frozen the use of speed cameras on our highways,” Kindiki said.

He noted that the government introduced them specifically to tackle a deadly spike in road accidents.

Addressing reckless driving

Kindiki explained that the measures include the use of technology and stricter penalties aimed at deterring reckless driving.

“To suppress the escalation of road fatalities and improve safety on the roads, the government last month introduced far-reaching enforcement measures. Cameras on the roads to check on speeding, instant fines for motorists contravening traffic laws, and painful demerits on drivers and motor vehicle owners causing death and injury by violating traffic laws,” Kindiki said.

Kindiki raised concerns that the court’s intervention has paralysed the rollout of these safety measures at a pivotal moment, undermining government efforts to curb the rising number of accidents.

“Unfortunately, the courts issued an injunction against the implementation of these measures a couple of weeks ago. We are requesting the judiciary to help save lives on our roads and lift the orders,” Kindiki said.

NTSA Instant fines withdrawal

The NTSA on March 9, 2026, requested the withdrawal of the petition filed at the High Court challenging the implementation of the Instant Fines Management System announced through its official X account @ntsa_kenya.

NTSA, through an affidavit sworn by the Director General Odhiambo Kondiwa, averred that the matter has been overtaken by events since they issued a public notice formally withdrawing the earlier notice.

He states they issued a public notice formally withdrawing the earlier notice that had announced the intended operationalisation (go-live) of the Instant Fines Management System on or about March 27, 2026.

“That I am advised by Counsel on record, which advice I verily believe to be sound, that where the subject matter of a dispute has ceased to exist or has been overtaken by events, such proceedings are rendered moot and academic,” the affidavit read in part.

On March 12, 2026, Milimani High Court Judge Bahati Mwamuye issued conservatory orders barring the NTSA, the Director General of the NTSA and the AG from issuing or enforcing instant traffic penalties generated through automated systems.

“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the petitioner’s notice of motion, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued restraining the respondents and the interested party, both jointly and severally, and whether by themselves, their officers, agents, related entities, or any person acting under their authority or together with them in a multi-agency framework, from issuing, generating, demanding, or enforcing instant or automated traffic penalties produced through algorithmic or other automated decision-making systems and/or implementing or further implementing the impugned Instant Fines Traffic Management System,” Judge Mwamuye ordered.