Last year, it was reported that the National Transport & Safety Authority (NTSA) was quietly testing a digital speed notification system on Kenyan roads. This system tackles speeding by delivering immediate, focused messages to drivers.
In a recent press briefing, the NTSA Director General, George Njau, confirmed this, stating, “We started in November, and we have been testing.”
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir noted that the pilot phase is officially over, and they are in the roll-out phase. “So far, we have collected enough data, and now we are going into the second phase of the institution, license, and procurement of some of these speed cameras,” Chirchir said.
Digital speed cameras have been strategically positioned on major routes like the Red Hill Link, Southern Bypass, Thika Road, and Northern Bypass. As part of the roll-out, other roads will soon have speed cameras installed.
The system instantly identifies speeding vehicles and sends detailed violation SMS alerts to their owners. The notifications are instant. In addition, the system automatically posts speeding fines to the offender’s NTSA account, with payment expected promptly via mobile money.
Penalties for speeding are determined by the zone of the offense and align with the Traffic Act stipulations; a 6-10 km/h excess, for instance, carries a KES 3,000 fine. This initiative is part of the Ministry of Transport’s wider strategy for traffic offense management to reduce road accidents.
What Happens If You Exceed the Speed Limit?
If you exceed the speed limit, you’ll instantly receive a text message with:
- Your vehicle’s registration number
- Time of the offense
- Speed limit exceeded
- Name of the registered owner
- Fine charged to your NTSA account
NTSA Speed Monitoring Penalties
- 6-10 km/h over the limit = KES 3,000 fine
- Higher speeds = Heavier fines or jail time (per the Traffic Act)
- Immediate payment required via M-Pesa or mobile money
