Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has strongly urged the Judiciary to remove court orders blocking the implementation of automated traffic enforcement, insisting that speed cameras and instant fines are essential to stopping the “slaughter” on Kenyan roads.
The Deputy President’s comments come amid national sorrow following a series of fatal accidents that have taken numerous lives in recent weeks.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Kabiruini Showground in Nyeri Town, Prof. Kindiki addressed mourners during an interdenominational funeral service for 16 victims of a devastating crash on the Nyeri-Nyahururu highway.
The Deputy President highlighted that the government is prepared to deploy modern technology to restore order but is currently hindered by legal barriers.
“We appeal to the Judiciary to support life-saving efforts by lifting orders that have prevented the use of speed cameras and instant fines,” Kindiki stated. “We must implement these road safety measures because we are losing too many people.”
The proposed safety initiative seeks to eliminate human error and corruption in traffic policing through a digitized system. Under the new framework for automated detection, high-speed cameras installed on major highways will capture vehicles exceeding speed limits.
Regarding direct fines, penalties will be automatically sent to the offender’s mobile phone. Strict compliance measures will be enforced where failure to pay will result in immediate vehicle operation restrictions and licensing penalties. Chronic offenders will face permanent revocation of their driving licenses.
“If drivers reduce speed, they can better control their vehicles in unexpected situations,” Kindiki noted, attributing most recent fatalities to speeding and unroadworthy vehicles.
Representing President William Ruto, the Deputy President assured the grieving families that the State would provide comprehensive support. He confirmed that the Presidency has been in close coordination with the Nyeri County Government to manage the logistics of the mass send-off.
“The President has personally supported the families. As a government, we will fully support the families even after today,” he pledged.
The push for instant fines and camera enforcement has long been a point of disagreement between the executive and civil society groups, who have previously taken legal action citing concerns over lack of public participation and potential privacy violations.
However, with the increasing death toll, the DP’s position indicates a renewed urgency from the Kenya Kwanza administration to bypass traditional obstacles and prioritize road safety as a matter of national security.