President William Ruto has directed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Ministry of Transport to deploy smart traffic cameras in all major cities within one month.
The directive came during a morning briefing with the National Council on the Administration of Justice at State House, Nairobi, where the President expressed concern over the slow progress in implementing the system, which is designed to issue instant fines for traffic violations.
Following discussions with Transport CS Davis Chirchir and NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa, Ruto set a firm one-month deadline for the installation of the cameras and full integration into the instant fines framework.
Ruto Directs NTSA to Launch Smart Cameras and Instant Fine System Nationwide Within a Month. Photo: Courtesy.
CS Chirchir confirmed support for the one-month timeline, noting that the project will be implemented under the investor-supported programme.
During the briefing, President Ruto also criticized ongoing concerns about integrity within the traffic department, highlighting that corruption had eroded public confidence and undermined road safety.
To address these challenges, the Head of State ordered a reduction in the number of traffic officers on the roads, a move that will coincide with the operationalisation of the smart camera system.
According to the NPS Systems Audit Report released by the Ethics and Anti-Graft Commission (EACC) last year, while the National Police Service has approximately 104,080 officers, only about 1,000 traffic officers are typically on active road duty nationwide at any given time.
The NPS Systems Audit Report revealed a structured bribery system in the traffic department, where junior officers are assigned daily collection targets, generating millions in bribes nationwide.
The findings were part of efforts by the National Council on the Administration of Justice, under Chief Justice Martha Koome, and the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, to improve road safety and reduce corruption.
The Head of State emphasized that the operationalisation of the smart camera system is a revenue collection measure and a key government priority, while also supporting safer roads.
