Chief Justice Martha Koome revealed the plan on Monday, December 15, 2025, saying the new approach is meant to ensure traffic cases are handled quickly and efficiently.
She noted that delays in prosecuting traffic offenders often encourage reckless driving and weaken enforcement of road safety laws.
According to the Chief Justice, mobile traffic courts will allow judicial services to reach areas where violations occur, ensuring offenders are dealt with promptly while still respecting their legal rights.
“We are looking at deploying mobile traffic courts, both physically and digitally, and working closely with other agencies. This will allow those charged to access legal services quickly and ensure cases are handled without unnecessary delays,” Koome said.
She explained that the initiative is designed to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the justice system while protecting the rights of suspects.
The Judiciary plans to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and road safety authorities to make the courts effective. The aim is to discourage lawlessness on the roads by ensuring swift consequences for traffic violations.
Chief Justice Koome also raised concerns about corruption in traffic enforcement, warning motorists against offering bribes to escape punishment. She said corruption undermines justice and directly contributes to the high number of road deaths.
“Do not offer or pay bribes when arrested. We will have monitoring mechanisms to protect human rights and ensure accountability,” she stated.
She added that systems would be put in place to monitor the conduct of enforcement officers to ensure fairness and professionalism.
Speeding was identified as one of the most dangerous and common traffic violations, particularly during holiday periods when many Kenyans travel long distances. Koome urged drivers to exercise patience and remember that rushing does not change their destination.
“When people are travelling for celebrations, they forget that their destinations are not moving. Speeding only increases the risk of fatal accidents,” she said.
She appealed to motorists to follow traffic rules, avoid reckless behaviour, and prioritise safety for themselves and other road users.
The move by the Judiciary comes amid alarming statistics on road carnage. Data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows that by early December 2025, at least 4,458 people had lost their lives in road accidents. This represents an increase compared to the 4,311 deaths recorded during the same period in 2024.
Pedestrians, motorcyclists, and passengers have been identified as the most affected groups. The festive season often worsens the situation due to increased travel, alcohol consumption, and risky driving behaviours.
As Chairperson of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), Chief Justice Koome emphasised that addressing road safety challenges requires joint action. She said no single institution can solve the problem alone.
“We cannot address road carnage on our own. This is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation between the Judiciary, police, NTSA, prosecutors, and members of the public,” she said.
Already, authorities have intensified enforcement measures across the country. These include round-the-clock patrols, alcohol testing through alcoblow checks, roadblocks, and instant fines for offenders.
Koome encouraged Kenyans to play their part by obeying traffic laws, reporting reckless driving, and refusing to participate in corruption.
She stressed that the introduction of mobile traffic courts is not meant to punish motorists unfairly, but to save lives by promoting discipline and accountability on the roads.
According to the Chief Justice, mobile traffic courts will allow judicial services to reach areas where violations occur, ensuring offenders are dealt with promptly while still respecting their legal rights.
“We are looking at deploying mobile traffic courts, both physically and digitally, and working closely with other agencies. This will allow those charged to access legal services quickly and ensure cases are handled without unnecessary delays,” Koome said.
She explained that the initiative is designed to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the justice system while protecting the rights of suspects.
The Judiciary plans to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and road safety authorities to make the courts effective. The aim is to discourage lawlessness on the roads by ensuring swift consequences for traffic violations.
Chief Justice Koome also raised concerns about corruption in traffic enforcement, warning motorists against offering bribes to escape punishment. She said corruption undermines justice and directly contributes to the high number of road deaths.
“Do not offer or pay bribes when arrested. We will have monitoring mechanisms to protect human rights and ensure accountability,” she stated.
She added that systems would be put in place to monitor the conduct of enforcement officers to ensure fairness and professionalism.
Speeding was identified as one of the most dangerous and common traffic violations, particularly during holiday periods when many Kenyans travel long distances. Koome urged drivers to exercise patience and remember that rushing does not change their destination.
“When people are travelling for celebrations, they forget that their destinations are not moving. Speeding only increases the risk of fatal accidents,” she said.
She appealed to motorists to follow traffic rules, avoid reckless behaviour, and prioritise safety for themselves and other road users.
The move by the Judiciary comes amid alarming statistics on road carnage. Data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows that by early December 2025, at least 4,458 people had lost their lives in road accidents. This represents an increase compared to the 4,311 deaths recorded during the same period in 2024.
Pedestrians, motorcyclists, and passengers have been identified as the most affected groups. The festive season often worsens the situation due to increased travel, alcohol consumption, and risky driving behaviours.
As Chairperson of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), Chief Justice Koome emphasised that addressing road safety challenges requires joint action. She said no single institution can solve the problem alone.
“We cannot address road carnage on our own. This is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation between the Judiciary, police, NTSA, prosecutors, and members of the public,” she said.
Already, authorities have intensified enforcement measures across the country. These include round-the-clock patrols, alcohol testing through alcoblow checks, roadblocks, and instant fines for offenders.
Koome encouraged Kenyans to play their part by obeying traffic laws, reporting reckless driving, and refusing to participate in corruption.
She stressed that the introduction of mobile traffic courts is not meant to punish motorists unfairly, but to save lives by promoting discipline and accountability on the roads.
