NTSA rolls out 1,000 smart cameras across major roads

FAUSTINE AGNES-KNA

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is shifting Kenya’s road safety enforcement into the digital age with the rollout of 1,000 smart cameras designed to detect and fine traffic offenders instantly.

The NTSA, in partnership with the National Police Service and under the directive of the Ministry of Transport, has launched the initiative to curb rising road fatalities and eliminate the “human element” that often leads to bribery and delays in justice.

By automating enforcement, the NTSA expects to create a culture of continuous compliance, rather than motorists only behaving when they spot a police uniform.

Installation of AI powered traffic cameras that automatically detect violations such as speeding, lane blurring, and seatbelt neglect will send instant fines via SMS to the offender’s mobile phone.

This cuts Across all major highways and urban “black spots,” starting with the Thika Superhighway and Mombasa Road.

Following a successful pilot phase in late 2024, full implementation is scaling up throughout 2025 and 2026 to reduce road carnage, bypass the backlog of traffic cases in the Judiciary, and eliminate roadside corruption by removing cash transactions between motorists and officers.