By PHILLIP ORWA
Four day’s after President William Ruto asked The Cabinet Secretary in charge of Transport Davis Chiechir to ensure instant fines system is implemented, the ministry through the National Transport and Safety Authority has (NTSA) has started implementing the policy.
President Ruto last Thursday in a meeting with Cabinet at Statehouse asked Chirchir why the government had invested heavily in buying the technique that was not being used.
“Bwana Chirchir and the Ministry of Transport and other State agents charged with implementing this system, why can’t we start using the instant fines system? We invested heavily on this system, and it’s high time we started using it,” said President Ruto last week.
On Monday Motorists, woke up to a rude Shock as through its Social handles, the NTSA made a public announcement that they will now receive traffic violation alerts instantly on their SMS after after they (NTSA) activated a new automated fines management system designed to improve road discipline and transparency.
The authority announced that the Instant Fines Traffic Management System is now live and will automatically issue traffic violation notifications via SMS to motorists where applicable.
“The system is fully automated and does not require human intervention, a move expected to enhance fairness in traffic enforcement.
The Instant Fines Traffic Management System is now live. The system will automatically issue traffic violation notifications via SMS to motorists where applicable,” NTSA said in the communique
The communication added, “the digital system is intended to promote transparency, efficiency and accountability in road safety enforcement.
Motorists who receive violation notices will be required to settle the fines within seven days.
Payments will be processed through the branch network of KCB Group.”
NTSA warned that failure to pay within the stipulated period will attract additional costs.
“Failure to settle the fine due within the seven-day period will result in the amount due earning interest,” the authority said.
The agency further cautioned that vehicles or drivers with pending penalties will not be able to access services on NTSA platforms until the fines are cleared.
“In addition, the vehicle or the driver with pending fine will not be able to transact on NTSA service platforms until the fine is settled,” the statement added.
The move forms part of the government’s broader push to digitize public services and improve road safety.
Many Kenyans welcomed the move, indicating that it was a welcome move and would restore order if adhered to the letter.
Tuli Tulitu, a Kisumu resident said, “I hope this will restore order on our roads, Boda Boda Riders and Tuk Tuks especially in Kisumu have been a major violator of the rules, let’s see if the notice will help reign order on them.
Jeff Ogoda, a road user in Nairobi welcomed the move saying “l hope it helps with Matatu menace in Nairobi, matatu’s overlap, cut off other motorists and climb on pavements pushing other road users off the road, if this works, it will help.”
A sentiment that was supported by Brian Munyendo, a member of the Organisation of Online Drivers (OOD) who said.
“Many Boda Boda riders cause scratches on cars and run over pedestrians on pavements and walk ways, ride on the wrong side of the road and hardly follow traffic rules.
Same applies with Matatus, especially along Kangundo Road, Grogan, and other parts of the country, they shove you off the road as they seek to beat traffic jam, I home the fines catch up with them.”
