Motorists across Kenya are once again being reminded that small mistakes on the road can cost big money, following the resurfacing of an official list of common minor traffic offences and penalties as outlined under the Traffic (Minor Offences) Rules, 2016.
The penalties, recently highlighted in a graphic shared by , show that many everyday driving habits—often dismissed as “minor”—can attract fines ranging from KSh 500 to a staggering KSh 10,000. With intensified traffic enforcement and renewed police crackdowns in major towns, motorists who ignore these rules risk instant penalties or court action.
Using Your Phone While Driving? Pay KSh 2,000
One of the most common offences is using a mobile phone while driving, an action that carries a KSh 2,000 fine under Rule 59A(1). Despite widespread awareness campaigns, many drivers continue to text, scroll, or take calls without hands-free devices—putting lives at risk and their wallets in danger.
Seat Belts and Passenger Rules
Failing to wear a seat belt attracts a KSh 500 fine, while passenger boarding or alighting outside authorized stops in Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) costs KSh 1,000. Even more costly is picking or dropping passengers outside designated stops, which attracts a KSh 3,000 penalty. These rules are aimed at improving order and reducing accidents along busy highways and urban roads.
Ignoring Traffic Signs or Police Orders Is Costly
Drivers who fail to obey traffic signs or lawful directions from police officers face a KSh 3,000 fine in each case. Authorities note that disobedience at roadblocks and junctions remains a major cause of traffic congestion and accidents, especially during peak hours.
Speeding: The Faster You Go, the More You Pay
Speeding penalties vary depending on how far you exceed the limit. Exceeding the speed limit by 6–10 km/h attracts a KSh 500 fine, while going 11–15 km/h over the limit costs KSh 3,000. Traffic officers have increasingly relied on speed guns, particularly on highways linking major towns.
Motorcycle Riders Not Spared
Motorcycle riders and passengers who fail to wear protective gear face a KSh 1,000 fine. This rule targets the high number of head injuries recorded among boda boda users, many of whom still ignore helmet and reflector jacket requirements.
Licence-Related Offences
Failing to carry or produce a driving licence on demand attracts a KSh 1,000 fine, while failing to renew a licence also costs KSh 1,000. More serious is driving without a valid licence endorsement for a vehicle class, which comes with a KSh 3,000 penalty. Learner drivers who fail to display “L” plates both at the front and rear of the vehicle are fined KSh 1,000.
The Most Expensive “Minor” Offences
Some minor offences are surprisingly expensive. Obstructing traffic by leaving a vehicle on the road attracts a hefty KSh 10,000 fine, one of the highest under the minor offences category. Meanwhile, driving on or through a pavement or pedestrian walkway costs KSh 5,000, reflecting the government’s effort to protect pedestrians.
Why This Matters
With rising road accidents and congestion, enforcement of the Traffic (Minor Offences) Rules, 2016 is expected to intensify. For Kenyan motorists, staying informed is no longer optional—it’s the difference between safe driving and unexpected fines.
As traffic police tighten the noose, drivers are being urged to obey the law, not just to avoid penalties, but to save lives on Kenya’s roads.
