MPs Push Back Against NTSA Plan to Attach Instant Traffic Fines to Vehicle Logbooks

MPs Push Back Against NTSA Plan to Attach Instant Traffic Fines to Vehicle Logbooks

A fresh dispute has emerged over the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA)‘s instant traffic fines system after Members of Parliament opposed the practice of attaching traffic penalties to vehicle logbooks, arguing that the approach unfairly punishes vehicle owners instead of the motorists responsible for committing offences.

The concerns were raised during proceedings in the National Assembly on Wednesday, July 2, where lawmakers called for a review of the enforcement framework to ensure accountability is placed on offending drivers rather than on the registered owners of vehicles.

Leading the debate, Molo MP Kuria Kimani argued that linking instant traffic fines to vehicle logbooks fails to discourage dangerous driving and instead creates unintended consequences for innocent vehicle owners, employers and financial institutions.

According to the legislator, road safety enforcement should target the individual behind the wheel rather than the ownership record of a vehicle, saying the current arrangement risks penalising people who may not have been present when traffic offences occurred.

“Attaching instant traffic fines to a vehicle’s logbook fails to deter reckless drivers and unfairly penalises vehicle owners and financiers. To make sure accountability rests with the offender, fines should be linked to the offending driver’s licence,” Kimani told the House.

His remarks come as NTSA continues implementing a technology-driven traffic enforcement system that automatically records violations such as speeding and generates instant penalties through the Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS) and the government’s eCitizen platform.

The digital enforcement framework was introduced as part of broader efforts to improve road safety, reduce corruption associated with manual traffic enforcement and promote compliance with traffic laws through automated monitoring.

However, the system has generated widespread public debate, with motorists raising concerns over accountability, transparency and the administrative implications of attaching penalties directly to vehicle registration records.

Kimani argued that the existing framework could particularly disadvantage individuals and businesses that own multiple vehicles but employ different drivers.

He cited ride-hailing businesses as an example, noting that employers may end up shouldering penalties arising from reckless driving by employees despite having no direct involvement in the offences.

“I think who the fine is attached to needs to be rethought. For example, if I have 10 vehicles that I use as Uber cars and the drivers operate them dangerously and are fined, the penalty ends up being attached to the logbook. That does not deter the behaviour of the driver. Perhaps the fines should instead be attached to that driver’s licence rather than the vehicle’s logbook,” he said.

The MP further expressed concern about the potential impact on financial institutions that finance motor vehicle purchases.

Many vehicles acquired through asset financing arrangements are jointly registered under both the borrower and the lending institution until the loan is fully repaid.

According to Kimani, attaching unresolved traffic fines to such logbooks could create unnecessary legal and financial complications for banks, microfinance institutions and other lenders whose names remain on ownership documents.

“Another complication involves vehicles that are on loan. For example, a logbook may be under joint ownership between the bank and the borrower. When a fine is lodged against that vehicle’s logbook, it also affects the lender, whether it is a bank or even smaller lenders such as motorcycle financiers,” he added.

The concerns have prompted calls from lawmakers for NTSA to review the system and develop an enforcement mechanism that directly links traffic offences to individual driving licences instead of vehicle ownership records.

Supporters of the proposal argue that such an approach would ensure penalties are imposed on the actual offender while encouraging responsible driving behaviour.

The parliamentary debate comes amid increased public scrutiny of NTSA’s digital traffic enforcement programme, which has expanded the use of automated cameras and electronic monitoring to detect offences including speeding and other traffic violations.

The authority has maintained that the reforms are intended to enhance road safety, improve compliance with traffic regulations and eliminate opportunities for corruption associated with traditional roadside enforcement.

However, motorists and transport stakeholders continue to question aspects of the system’s implementation, including the process of issuing penalties, payment procedures and the legal implications of attaching fines to digital vehicle records.

With lawmakers now openly challenging the current model, pressure is mounting on NTSA to review its enforcement framework and strike a balance between effective road safety enforcement and fairness for vehicle owners, businesses and financial institutions affected by the new digital traffic management system.

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MPs Push Back Against NTSA Plan to Attach Instant Traffic Fines to Vehicle Logbooks