NTSA withdraws instant fines system, public to be educated on traffic offences

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has withdrawn its earlier notice on the rollout of the instant fines management system, citing the need to sensitise the public on procedures for handling minor traffic offences.

In a statement dated Friday, March 27, 2026, the Authority said it had pulled down the communication on the system’s go-live.

The Authority explained that the decision was informed by the need to enhance public understanding of how minor traffic offences are handled under the law.

“The National Transport and Safety Authority wishes to inform the public of the withdrawal of the public notice announcing the go-live of the instant fines issued on March 9, 2026,” NTSA said.

“This withdrawal has been necessitated by the realisation that the public needs to understand the details and standard procedure of handling minor traffic offences as defined in Section 117 of the Traffic Act.”

NTSA further indicated that it will issue fresh guidance to clarify the legal framework governing instant fines and traffic infractions.

“The Authority will communicate the standard procedures aligned to the provisions of the existing laws on handling of instant fines and minor traffic offences to avoid any misinformation and provide clarity on the same,” it stated.

The authority, however, maintained that enforcement of traffic laws remains key to improving road safety, stating that, “NTSA remains committed to ensuring safety on our roads and reducing fatalities. 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 move comes weeks after the High Court halted the enforcement of automated instant traffic fines following a petition challenging the legality of the system.

In a conservatory order issued on March 12, the court barred NTSA from implementing or enforcing penalties generated through automated systems pending the hearing and determination of the case.

The orders were issued in a constitutional petition filed by Sheria Mtaani through its lawyers, Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wambui, challenging the legality of the instant fines traffic management system rolled out by NTSA.

The matter regarding the automated fines system is set to be mentioned in court in April for further directions.