Eugine Wabwile 
BY FLORENCE SIMIYU
The government will introduce instant fines for motorists who violate traffic laws beginning April this year, President William Ruto has announced. The new measures will also see the deployment of traffic surveillance cameras to automatically detect and penalize offenders.
Speaking at State House in Nairobi, President Ruto said the move is aimed at strengthening road safety and significantly reducing accidents across the country. He expressed concern over the rising number of fatalities on Kenyan roads, terming the trend alarming and unacceptable.
According to the Head of State, the introduction of real-time fines and enhanced monitoring through technology is expected to deter reckless driving and restore discipline on the roads. He projected that the measures could reduce road accidents by up to 70 percent if effectively implemented.
The announcement comes amid growing public concern over the increasing number of road crashes nationwide. Recent data highlights the urgent need for tougher enforcement and accountability among road users.
A latest report by the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) shows that 5,000 people lost their lives in road accidents last year. This represents an increase of more than 500 deaths compared to 2024, underscoring the worsening situation.
The report calls for decisive interventions to address the surge in fatalities, noting that many of the crashes are linked to speeding, reckless driving, and failure to observe traffic regulations.
With the planned introduction of instant fines and traffic cameras, the government hopes to leverage technology to enhance enforcement and minimize human discretion in policing the roads.
Authorities believe that stricter compliance with traffic laws, backed by digital surveillance, could mark a turning point in the country’s efforts to curb road carnage and save thousands of lives annually.
