Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced the government’s plan to implement an instant-fining system aimed at curbing bribery on Kenyan roads. The system, currently under development, will allow traffic violators to pay fines immediately without the need for court proceedings.
Murkomen, who is working to restore order and assert authority in road management, stated that the new system will not only end the culture of roadside bribery but also significantly boost government revenue.
“We will put an end to the issue of people being forced to pay bribes on the roads,” he declared on Wednesday during a roundtable with development partners.
Once implemented, the system will require Kenyans who violate traffic rules to settle their fines on the spot. Murkomen expressed confidence that this measure will streamline enforcement and reduce instances of police officers soliciting bribes from motorists.
“There is money in this process. If it is considered ‘sin money,’ then it is important that it be used to support our strategic initiatives,” the CS said, emphasizing that funds collected from traffic violations will be channeled into infrastructure and road safety improvements.
Drawing from his experience as the former Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Roads, Murkomen acknowledged that one of the major challenges in the past was the lack of synergy between the police and the transport infrastructure sector. He vowed to bridge this gap and accelerate reforms that had previously stalled due to bureaucratic hurdles.
“I am grateful to have previously served in the Ministry of Transport. One of the key challenges was the lack of partnership between the police and the transport infrastructure sector,” he noted.
To ensure a smooth rollout of the instant-fining system, Murkomen announced plans to convene a stakeholder roundtable discussion within the next two weeks. This forum will bring together players from the transport and security sectors to deliberate on the implementation process.
Murkomen also urged security agencies to prioritize their core mandate of ensuring national safety, rather than engaging in corrupt practices.
“In this sector, we are serious professionals. We are no longer engaging in political theatrics—we must stay focused on keeping our country safe and secure,” he emphasized.
The introduction of an instant-fining system marks a significant step in Kenya’s fight against corruption, promising a more transparent and accountable approach to traffic law enforcement.
