Hello and welcome to the Money Weekly Newsletter, where we are covering the NTSA’s plan for a smart camera system and instant fines on highways.

In today's newsletter, we shall also introduce a new monthly segment that will recap key industry shifts — including hires, exits, and transfers of corporate leaders. Today’s inaugural edition features a summary of the major leadership changes recorded in February.

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NTSA's Smart Cameras & Automatic Fines Via SMS

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has embarked on a plan to install smart cameras on highways across the country for the implementation of instant fines for traffic offenders.

In a notice on Tuesday, 24 February, the authority revealed that the project would be undertaken under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) alongside KCB Bank and Pesa Print at a cost of Ksh42 billion.

The project will include the installation of 700 stationary speed enforcement cameras and 300 mobile speed enforcement cameras.

NTSA's new move comes after the authority implemented a pilot along major highways in Nairobi. The pilot commenced in November 2024.

As piloted, the cameras will be able to capture traffic offenders on the road, including the number plates of the vehicles, and relay that information to the command centre.

Afterwards, motorists will be notified of their offence via SMS. The SMS will detail where the offence took place, the time the incident occurred, and the fine to be paid.

Some of the offences that will attract instant fines include speeding, driving without a valid driving licence, and failing to wear a seat belt. The offences attract fines ranging from Ksh500 to Ksh10,000.

"Warning: Violation of Section 42(1) of the Traffic Act. Your vehicle with Reg XXX was captured driving at a speed of 138 kph, exceeding the speed limit of 110 kph in KIAMBAA on 2024-11-22 at 13:57:08. Slow down, fika salama," read an SMS sent to a motorist.

According to NTSA, motorists will be able to pay the fines via mobile money, USSD, and banks.

At the centre of the instant fine system will be the issuance of smart driving licences to the over five million registered drivers in the country.

KCB and Pesa Print will produce five million smart driving licences every three years over a 21-year period. According to NTSA’s strategic plan, the current red cover driving licence will be phased out and replaced with the new smart DLs.

Motorists will pay Ksh3,000 to acquire a smart driving licence, while replacement and renewal will also cost Ksh3,000.

Here is a quick recap of the top news stories for the week:

Uganda has secured veto powers over the future hiring and firing of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) CEO after agreeing to invest more than Ksh20 billion in the firm’s planned initial public offering (IPO). 

The deal also grants Kampala approval rights over any future share issuance to prevent dilution of its stake, as well as two board seats. The concessions followed Uganda’s threat to withdraw from the IPO, which aims to sell a 65 per cent stake and raise Ksh106 billion. 

Catch Up on More News

WEEKLY MONEY TIPS

Industry Appointments Made in February

𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠

1. Joshua Oigara: Appointed as Chief Executive and Director of Stanbic Holdings PLC; Previous Position: Standard Bank's Regional Chief Executive for East Africa

2. Martin Oduor: Appointed as Independent and Non-Executive Director, Sanlam Allianz Holdings - Kenya

3. Rebecca Mbithi: Appointed as Managing Director of Ecobank Kenya; Previous Position: Family Bank CEO

4. Gladys Warirah: Appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Kenya; Previous Position: Country Treasurer, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia

5. Dominic Murage: Appointed as Acting CEO of Consolidated Bank of Kenya; Previous Position: Lecturer, University of Nairobi

6. Sitoyo Lopokoiyit: Appointed as Chief Executive for Personal and Private Banking at Absa; Previous Position: M-Pesa Africa Managing Director

7. Andrew Kioi Njeru: Appointed CEO of Credit Information Sharing Association of Kenya

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

8. Risper Ohaga: Appointed as Acting CEO of APA Apollo Group; Previous Position: Chief Financial Officer, EABL

9. Sylvester Nzioka: Appointed at Pacis Insurance; Previous Position: Chief Operating Officer and Principal Officer, Jubilee Allianz General Insurance Kenya

𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

10. Angus Nyariki Omete: Appointed as Executive Director of Williamson & Kapchorua Tea; Previous Position: Group Chief Financial Officer of Williamson & Kapchorua Tea

MONEY254 #MONEYTOK

NTSA Activates Smart Camera System Sending Fines to Motorists on SMS

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has rolled out a smart traffic camera system that detects traffic violations in real time and sends notifications to motorists via SMS. The cameras capture video evidence, log the violation, and in some cases update the driver’s licence record automatically.

Over 1,000 cameras are being installed along major highways, some fixed and others mobile. Once a violation is confirmed, drivers receive details of what happened, where it occurred, and the penalty issued, all without being stopped on the road.

The system is also linked to smart driving licences, merit and demerit points, and a digital licence wallet as part of a wider plan to improve road discipline and reduce bribery. Watch the full video to understand how this technology will affect drivers.

@money254hq

𝐍𝐓𝐒𝐀 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐌𝐒 The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has rolled out a s... See more

That’s a wrap for this week’s Money Weekly!

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