Court Halts NTSA Smart Driving Licence Rollout and Instant Traffic Fines: What This Means

Kenyan motorists have won a temporary reprieve after the High Court in Kerugoya suspended the rollout of the National Transport and Safety Authority’s (NTSA) second-generation Smart Driving Licence and automated instant traffic fines system, throwing into uncertainty a multi-billion-shilling transport technology project that was set to take effect from June 1.

In a ruling issued by Justice Dennis Kizito, the court halted the implementation of a 21-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement between NTSA and Pesa Print Limited pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by the Road Safety Association of Kenya.

The conservatory orders stop the implementation of the project, which would have introduced upgraded smart driving licences, automated traffic surveillance cameras and an instant fines system linked directly to motorists’ licence profiles.

The court’s intervention came just days after NTSA announced plans to activate the new system, under which traffic offenders would automatically receive penalties through SMS notifications generated by a nationwide network of smart cameras.

Why the Court Stopped the Project

Court documents show that the petitioners raised concerns over the legality and transparency of the project, arguing that it failed to meet constitutional and statutory requirements governing public-private partnerships.

The Road Safety Association of Kenya further questioned the procurement process, claiming the contract was awarded through a flawed process despite previous concerns raised by the Office of the Auditor General regarding similar arrangements.

A major issue raised before the court concerns data privacy.

The petition argues that the project relies heavily on the collection and processing of motorists’ biometric data, which is classified as sensitive personal information under Kenya’s Data Protection Act, yet lacks adequate safeguards to protect motorists from potential misuse or unauthorized access.

Petitioners also contend that there was insufficient public participation and consultation with stakeholders before the project was rolled out nationwide.

The association additionally questioned whether NTSA obtained the necessary board approvals before entering into such a long-term and high-value contract.

What Happens to Current Smart Driving Licences?

Despite the suspension, motorists currently holding Smart Driving Licences will not be affected.

The court order only stops the rollout of the proposed second-generation licence that was scheduled to replace the current system beginning June 1.

Drivers can continue using their existing licences normally and are not required to apply for new cards or pay any additional fees.

Under the suspended arrangement, motorists would have paid Sh3,050 for the upgraded licence, which was designed to integrate seamlessly with the automated enforcement platform.

The current demerit points system also remains fully operational.

Drivers continue to start with 20 demerit points, which are reduced whenever traffic offences are committed. Those who accumulate excessive violations still risk licence suspension under the existing legal framework.

Instant Traffic Fines and Smart Cameras Put on Hold

Perhaps the most significant casualty of the court order is the automated instant fines system.

The project envisioned the installation of 1,000 smart traffic cameras across Kenya’s roads, including 700 fixed cameras and 300 mobile units.

The cameras were intended to automatically detect speeding, dangerous driving, lane violations and other traffic offences before generating instant fines linked directly to drivers’ profiles.

NTSA vehicles.

Under the proposed system, motorists would have received SMS alerts notifying them of violations and penalties without the need for direct interaction with traffic police officers.

With the court suspension now in force, the deployment of the cameras and supporting digital enforcement infrastructure has been halted until the case is heard and determined.

As a result, traffic enforcement will continue under the current framework, relying on existing NTSA systems and conventional policing methods.

What Motorists Need to Know

While the ruling has paused the new digital enforcement regime, it does not suspend any existing traffic laws or regulations.

Motorists are still required to comply with all road safety rules and continue monitoring their licence status and demerit points through NTSA platforms.

Any penalties, fines or licence suspensions already issued under the existing system remain valid and enforceable.

Similarly, drivers whose licences have been suspended must still undergo the required reinstatement procedures, including refresher training and retesting where necessary.

What Happens Next?

The case is scheduled for mention on June 21, 2026, when the court is expected to issue further directions after reviewing responses from NTSA, Pesa Print Limited and other parties involved.

The eventual outcome could significantly reshape Kenya’s plans for technology-driven traffic enforcement.

The court may allow the project to proceed as designed, order modifications to address privacy and procurement concerns, or require a fresh procurement process altogether.

For now, however, motorists will continue using the current Smart Driving Licence system, while the controversial Sh3,050 licence upgrade, automated traffic cameras and instant traffic fines programme remain firmly on hold.

The case is likely to become a landmark test of how far government agencies can go in deploying surveillance technology and automated enforcement systems without first satisfying constitutional requirements on procurement, public participation and protection of personal data.