A court battle over NTSA’s planned automated traffic fines system has widened after the High Court maintained orders stopping the implementation of the controversial partnership with Pesa Print Limited and a consortium of other firms.
The interim orders will remain in place as the court handles consolidated petitions challenging the arrangement, which includes the proposed smart driving licence, automated fines technology and other related services.
The proceedings also feature a contempt application filed by the Road Safety Association of Kenya (RSAK), through its chairman David Kiarie. RSAK claims that NTSA failed to comply with an earlier order that barred the authority from proceeding with the partnership.
The dispute traces back to May 29, 2026, when Justice Magare Dennis Kizito, sitting at the High Court in Kerugoya, issued temporary orders stopping the implementation of the NTSA-Pesa Print agreement.
The directive covered the design, supply, delivery, installation and maintenance of smart driving licences, an automated fines system and associated services.
“A conservatory order is issued suspending the implementation of the public-private partnership between the NTSA and Pesa Print Limited consortium,” Justice Kizito ruled.
RSAK later moved to court seeking action against NTSA, arguing that the authority had not honoured the orders issued on May 29.
In its contempt application, the association asked the court to declare the first respondent in contempt for allegedly proceeding despite the suspension.
“This Honourable Court do find, hold and declare that the 1st Respondent is in contempt of Court for disobeying the orders made by this Court on 29th May, 2026 suspending the implementation of the public private partnership between the National Transport and Safety Authority and Pesa Print Limited consortium in respect of the design, supply, delivery, installation and maintenance of smart driving licenses, automate fines system and associated services pending inter partes hearing of the application,” the application states.
NTSA, however, has defended the proposed technology, saying the automated system is meant to curb corruption and promote safety on the roads.
The matter has since been brought together with a separate petition filed by the Federation of Kenya Consumers (COFEK), placing both challenges before the Milimani Law Courts.
COFEK and RSAK are challenging the proposed rollout of the smart driving licence and the wider arrangement involving NTSA and the private consortium.
The case names several government institutions and officials as respondents, including the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury, the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, the Public Private Partnership Committee, the Directorate of Public Private Partnerships and the Attorney General.
Pesa Print Limited and KCB Kenya are listed in the proceedings as interested parties.
Justice Mande directed all respondents and interested parties to file their replies to the contempt application by August 15, 2026.
The court further ordered that the preliminary objection filed in the matter be heard alongside the contempt application as part of the consolidated proceedings.
The continued suspension prevents the rollout of the disputed system while the court considers the legal challenges and the allegations surrounding compliance with its earlier orders.
The consolidated matter remains pending before the High Court, with a ruling scheduled for November 26, 2026.