By Ongaga Ongaga
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has suspended the rollout of its much‑anticipated Instant Fines Management System, a programme that had gone live on March 9, 2026.
The system was designed to streamline the handling of minor traffic offenses by issuing on‑the‑spot fines under Section 117 of the Traffic Act.
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However, within days of its launch, it faced mounting criticism from motorists, lawyers, and civil society groups, as well as a High Court order halting its enforcement.
In a notice dated March 27, NTSA announced the withdrawal, explaining that the decision was driven by the need for clarity and public understanding.
“This withdrawal has been necessitated by the realisation that the public need to understand the details and standard procedure of handling minor traffic offenses,” the Authority stated.
The Director General underscored NTSA’s commitment to transparency and fairness, adding, “Consistent, predictable, fair and certain administration of penalties on traffic infractions remains a core component of reducing the burden of deaths on our roads.”
The suspension comes after Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued conservatory orders earlier in March, stopping NTSA from enforcing the fines until petitions challenging their legality are heard.
Critics argued that the system risked undermining constitutional rights by bypassing due process.
Lawyer Shadrack Wambui, one of the petitioners, welcomed the suspension, noting that “instant fines, without proper hearings, could easily erode the rights of motorists.”
For now, NTSA has pledged to develop and communicate clear procedures aligned with existing laws before reintroducing any enforcement system.
Road safety enforcement will continue under current frameworks while the courts deliberate on the legality of automated fines.
The withdrawal reflects both public resistance and judicial intervention, leaving NTSA with the task of balancing its road safety mandate with constitutional safeguards.
