Traffic rules in Kenya: “Minor offences” you’re most likely to get and how to handle them

On December 15, you probably saw the fuss about President William Ruto’s approval of the second generation of driving licenses, instant fines, and the Judiciary’s mobile courts. 

Before any of that reaches you, it helps to know the basics: what actually counts as a “minor” traffic offence in Kenya, what it costs, and what happens when you get that ticket. 

This is the everyday stuff, number plates, seat belts, speeding, phone use, that trips up even the most careful drivers.

Everything below comes straight from the Traffic (Minor Offences) Rules, 2016 (updated in 2022) and Section 117 of the Traffic Act (Cap. 403). These are the rules police and courts use to deal with minor slips quickly and fairly. 

What’s a “minor offence”?

A minor offence is a breach that the law allows you to settle fast, usually by admitting and paying a fixed penalty, instead of sitting through a full-blown court case. It’s basically a streamlined process for everyday mistakes.

The law lists which offences qualify and caps the penalty for each one. The traffic police use a standard Notification of Traffic Offence form (in triplicate) to record the details and guide you to either pay (with any short-written mitigation) or deny and attend traffic court. Cash bail isn’t allowed; payments are recorded with a reference number.

The common slip-ups (and what they cost)

Here are the ones motorists bump into most often. All penalties below are statutory maximums for the fixed-penalty route:

When you get “the form”, here’s what to do, step by step

1. Read it. The police notification sets out the offence, place, time, and the penalty shown in the schedule.
2. Decide: 

• Admit and pay (include any brief mitigation), or
• Deny and attend the traffic court named on the form. If you deny, bail equals the statutory penalty, and cash bail is not allowed.

3. Keep the reference. Your payment gets a confirmation number—hang on to it.

That’s it. It’s designed to be quick and predictable for everyday lapses.

How does this tie into the new push for instant fines?

• Why you might be seeing more tickets now: With the government’s recent push for tech-led enforcement, minor offences (especially speed and simple compliance issues) are being picked up faster, and processed cleanly through the same fixed-penalty channel you’ve just read about. 
• Mobile courts: If you deny or your case needs a magistrate, mobile traffic courts—including online sessions—are being used during the festive period to clear matters quickly, with clear guidance not to pay bribes and to contact your lawyer if needed. 

That’s the new reality: more visibility and speed, but still the same straightforward rules for minor offences.

Five simple ways to stay out of trouble

1. Fit your plates properly and keep your inspection certificate up to date.
2. Seat belts on—every time; make sure belts are present and in good nick.
3. Don’t touch your phone while moving; if you must, pull over safely.
4. Use your lifesavers if you break down and you’re obstructing; carry them at all times.
5. Know your limit: small speed overages still count, even if the penalty starts with a warning—why risk it?

That said, minor offences are meant to be easy to fix, not easy to ignore. The rules make the process clear and quick, and the recent enforcement upgrades simply make it more consistent and digital, not more complicated.

 If you stay compliant and, when you slip, sort it promptly, you’ll keep your record clean and your journeys stress-free.