Minor traffic offenders should not be forced to pay cash bail or be held in police custody but instead they should be issued with notices to attend court or summons, this was said by Dr. Willy Mutunga during the launch of a traffic pocket-size guideline booklet.
The launch of the pocket size Direction on traffic cases aims to fast track traffic cases; decongest and deal with the bottlenecks in processing and adjudication of traffic cases.
No traffic offender should be held by police for offences punishable by a fine only or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.
No accused person in the traffic cases should be locked up in the cells without first being granted time, place and adequate facilities to pay fines or bail
According to the Directions the Offenders should be issued with summons or NTAC on convenient dates within seven days. The Notice will clearly indicate the charges, the court one is to attend and the time one is to take plea.
The offender must remit to court the maximum amount payable for the offence(s) cited if he or she opts to plead guilty in writing upon issuance of the NTAC
One can only land in the prison custody if he or she is unable to pay the fine/ cash bail after reasonable time and facilities.
Any cash bail collected should be availed to court or refunded to the suspect in a timely and expeditious manner. In the event of non-attendance by the offender, warrants of arrest should be executed.
If you have to pay cash, only to so to an authorized court staff who will issue an official receipt. Also court stations have been issued with Mpesa payment system.
Through KCB Mtaani, KCB bank or any other bank as advised by the respective court station one can be able to pay your fine/bail.
This is one of the judicial reforms strategies a partnership with other Government stakeholders
The directions will be implemented countrywide .The booklet will be available in the judiciary website and the websites of all other key stakeholders.