Motorists Warned as CJ Koome Rolls Out Traffic Enforcement Operation

Kenyan motorists now face swift prosecution as Chief Justice Martha Koome announced a sweeping multi-agency crackdown targeting the surge in deadly road accidents during the busy December holiday period.

In a bold shift in traffic enforcement, the Judiciary is taking justice directly to the highways by deploying mobile courts along major roads, allowing authorities to charge traffic offenders on the spot.

Chief Justice Koome unveiled the initiative on Monday, December 15, confirming that officers from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the Kenya Police Service, and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) will jointly patrol the country’s roads under heightened enforcement.

The Judiciary will set up mobile courts on key transport corridors to fast-track traffic cases during the festive season. Authorities have indicated that if the pilot programme proves effective, the system could be rolled out permanently beyond the holidays.

“We want to strengthen multi-agency coordination and information sharing for a unified and practical approach to enforcing traffic rules and regulations and the overall administration of justice during the festive season and beyond,” Koome said.

Rising Road Deaths Trigger Emergency Response

The crackdown comes amid alarming road safety statistics. Chief Justice Koome revealed that at least 28 people have died in road accidents in the first two weeks of December alone, with more than half of the fatalities recorded within a 48-hour window.

The worsening situation prompted the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), chaired by Koome, to activate a coordinated national response. The 36-member council brings together key institutions, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), NTSA, the National Police Service, and the Judiciary, to curb road carnage and save lives.

How Mobile Courts Will Operate on Kenyan Highways

Chief Justice Koome assured motorists that the Judiciary will publicly announce the locations where mobile courts will operate to guarantee transparency and fairness. Drivers charged with traffic offences will have immediate access to legal representation, with mechanisms in place to contact their lawyers without delay.

“We will deploy mobile courts using physical and electronic means as a deterrent and enforcement measure with close collaboration with officers from the National Police Service, ODPP, Judiciary, NTSA, EACC, Kenya Prisons Service, and LSK,” she said.

The hybrid system blends physical court proceedings with digital processes, enabling faster resolution of traffic cases while safeguarding the constitutional rights of accused motorists.

EACC Targets Roadside Corruption

The operation also expands its focus to tackle corruption on Kenyan roads. EACC officers will patrol highways to arrest both motorists and traffic police officers found engaging in bribery, a practice authorities say undermines road safety enforcement and allows reckless drivers to escape punishment.

At the same time, NTSA will intensify monitoring on accident-prone corridors using enhanced surveillance, technology, and additional personnel to enforce compliance with traffic regulations throughout the festive season.

“We want to rationalise joint enforcement and feasibility across the country and especially in high-risk corridors to handle traffic matters instantly during the festive season,” Koome stated.

Chief Justice Koome stated that the new measures aim to protect lives during December, a period marked by heavy travel as millions of Kenyans journey to rural homes for Christmas and New Year celebrations. The movement of goods and commercial transport also spikes significantly during this time.

What Motorists Should Expect on Kenyan Roads

Drivers using major highways should brace for:

• Increased roadblocks and traffic checks

• Immediate court appearances for serious traffic offences

• Zero tolerance for speeding, drunk driving, and overloading

• Active monitoring of police-motorist interactions by anti-corruption officers

• Heightened NTSA surveillance on high-risk and accident-prone routes

Authorities have urged motorists to observe traffic laws strictly, warning that the era of escaping accountability on Kenyan roads is coming to an end.

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