Kenyan motorists could soon find it harder to get away with dangerous driving as the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) rolls out speed and surveillance cameras along major highways. The new technology is expected to help authorities detect traffic violations in real time, as the country steps up efforts to reduce road accidents ahead of the busy festive season. NTSA has also issued a warning to parents over underage children driving vehicles and operating boda bodas during the school holidays.
Highlights
- NTSA has installed speed and surveillance cameras along strategic roads and highways.
- The cameras will connect to a National Command and Control Centre for traffic monitoring.
- Parents have been urged to stop underage children from driving or operating boda bodas.
- Kenya recorded more than 5,100 road deaths in 2024, according to the figures provided.
- Speeding fines range from Sh500 to Sh10,000 depending on how far a motorist exceeds the speed limit.
Main Story
NTSA Introduces Technology to Catch Traffic Offenders
The days of motorists easily escaping detection after breaking traffic rules could be numbered following NTSA’s introduction of surveillance and speed-monitoring cameras across major roads in Kenya.
The cameras have been positioned at selected locations along highways and other important road networks. They will transmit information to a National Command and Control Centre, where authorities can monitor traffic activities and identify motorists committing offences.
The system is designed to support automated detection of traffic violations, allowing enforcement agencies to respond more quickly when drivers disregard road safety regulations.
The move comes as Kenya continues to grapple with increasing road accidents, with authorities particularly concerned about the expected rise in traffic during the festive season.
NTSA Official Warns Motorists Ahead of Festive Season
Speaking during a fundraising event to support the construction of a sanctuary at St Francis Cheptarit Catholic Church in Nandi County, NTSA Director of Cooperatives Affairs Jacob Sisey highlighted the importance of responsible driving.
He urged motorists to avoid dangerous manoeuvres, respect speed limits and remain conscious of other people using the roads.
Sisey also reminded drivers to inspect their vehicles before travelling, ensuring they are mechanically sound and have all the required documentation.
He noted that preventing road accidents requires individual responsibility, particularly during periods when highways experience increased traffic.
Parents Told to Keep Underage Children Away From Roads
Beyond addressing reckless motorists, NTSA has raised concerns about children accessing vehicles and commercial motorcycles during the long school holiday.
Sisey appealed to parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, warning against allowing learners who are below the legal driving age or lack valid licences to operate vehicles on public roads.
He particularly highlighted the growing concern involving underage children participating in boda boda operations.
The NTSA official called for greater parental supervision to prevent young people from putting themselves and other road users in danger.
He also encouraged young people working in the motorcycle transport industry to obtain the appropriate riding licences and comply with existing traffic regulations.
Kenya’s Road Death Figures Raise Concern
The push for stronger enforcement comes against the backdrop of worrying road safety statistics.
According to the figures cited by NTSA, Kenya recorded 3,875 road fatalities in 2019, with the number rising to more than 5,100 in 2024.
The consequences extend beyond the families who lose loved ones or have to care for relatives injured in accidents.
Road crashes are also estimated to cost the Kenyan economy approximately Sh450 billion every year through medical bills, damaged property and lost working hours.
That amount represents roughly five per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), demonstrating the wider economic impact of unsafe roads.
How Much Can You Pay for Speeding in Kenya?
Under the Traffic (Minor Offences) Rules, 2016, motorists caught exceeding prescribed speed limits face different penalties depending on the extent of the violation.
The penalties outlined include:
| Speeding offence | Fine |
|---|---|
| Exceeding the limit by 6–10 km/h | Sh500 |
| Exceeding the limit by 11–15 km/h | Sh3,000 |
| Exceeding the limit by 16–20 km/h | Sh10,000 |
These penalties also apply in designated 50km/h zones and other areas where road signs prescribe lower speed limits.
With the introduction of surveillance technology, motorists are being reminded that observing speed restrictions is not simply about avoiding fines but protecting lives.
As Kenya prepares for increased travel during the festive period, NTSA is calling on drivers, passengers, pedestrians, motorcycle operators and parents to play their part in making the country’s roads safer.
Ultimately, technology can help identify dangerous behaviour, but responsible decisions behind the wheel remain essential.
As NTSA turns to technology to make Kenyan roads safer, one question remains: Will motorists change their behaviour before another family loses a loved one, or will it take stricter enforcement to make road safety a priority?
