CS Matiangi: Govt to impose instant fines on minor traffic offenders

The government will start imposing instant fines on minor traffic offences within the next 30 days, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has said.

The CS, while speaking during the opening of the National Policing Conference at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) on Wednesday, stated that a task force has been formed to come up with the best framework for implementing the new rules.

“Improving road traffic safety is one of our key responsibilities, and these rules will enhance convenience in our judicial processes,” said Matiang’i.

The task force, formed in partnership with ICT and Transport ministries, will be chaired by Transport Principal Secretary Esther Koimett.

According to a statement from the National Government Communication Centre (NGCC); “the task force will lead consultations with the Judiciary, the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA), and the offices of the Attorney General and Solicitor General to see to it that the new regulations take effect as planned.”

“These rules make economic sense since most of the traffic offenders held in remand end up paying fines less than the amount the government spends to sustain them,” added the Interior boss.

In the new regulations, the offenders can be granted instant bails if they do not plead guilty after which they are booked for court trials.

Dr. Matiang’i also revealed the government is mulling over forwarding some legislative amendments to Parliament in a bid to decriminalise minor traffic offences.

“With digital issuance in place, the government can easily get traffic offenders pay fines imposed on them without necessarily being held in custody,” reads the statement from NGCC.