Ruto Orders NTSA to Roll Out Smart Cameras Instant Fine System in All Cities in One Month
President William Ruto has directed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Ministry of Transport to implement a nationwide rollout of smart traffic cameras within one month, in a decisive move aimed at curbing corruption and improving road safety.
The directive was issued during a high-level meeting of the National Council on the Administration of Justice held at State House in Nairobi on Monday, March 1. The session brought together key stakeholders in the justice and security sectors, including Chief Justice Martha Koome and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
“We have taken forever, the Ministry of Transport. Why don’t we enforce the instant fines programme? Why haven’t we rolled out the cameras on our roads?” the President posed, signaling impatience with what he described as prolonged inaction.
Following a brief exchange with the Transport CS, the Head of State issued a firm directive requiring immediate implementation of the system across major urban centres.
“Rolling out cameras is not rocket science. Let us roll out the cameras in the five or six major towns within one month. Those cameras should be connected to the whole framework of instant fines,” Ruto ordered.
The smart camera system is expected to automate traffic law enforcement by detecting violations such as speeding, red-light offences, and illegal lane usage, with instant fines issued digitally to offenders. The initiative is also designed to reduce direct interaction between motorists and traffic police, a move widely seen as critical in tackling corruption.
In addition to improving efficiency, the system is expected to address longstanding integrity concerns within the traffic police department. A recent audit by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) revealed widespread and systemic bribery, with officers allegedly operating under informal daily revenue targets.
The report indicated that individual officers could collect up to Ksh20,000 in bribes within just two hours, contributing to an estimated Ksh3 billion in illicit payments monthly across the country.
In response to these findings, President Ruto announced plans to significantly reduce the number of traffic police officers stationed on roads, arguing that technology would replace manual enforcement.
“There will not be any need for the many traffic police on the road. We will keep them to a minimum. The cameras will do their job and that of the Judiciary,” he stated.
The move aligns with broader government efforts to restore public confidence in law enforcement while addressing the high rate of road accidents. Officials at the meeting emphasized that integrating technology into traffic management could enhance compliance, improve transparency, and ultimately save lives.
The initiative also carries a financial dimension, with the President underscoring its role in boosting government revenue through consistent and accountable fine collection.
As Kenya moves toward digitised traffic enforcement, the success of the one-month rollout timeline will likely serve as a critical test of institutional coordination and political will. If implemented effectively, the system could mark a turning point in the country’s efforts to modernise its transport sector and eliminate entrenched inefficiencies.
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Ruto Orders NTSA to Roll Out Smart Cameras Instant Fine System in All Cities in One Month
