Traffic offenders are set to face new higher fines of up to Kes200,000 following the signing into law of the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2024. The new law amends various provisions of 16 Acts of Parliament.

Under the Traffic Act Cap 403, motorists failing to appear in court as directed by police will face a fine of Kes2000 up from the earlier Kes200. Defacing a traffic offense notification fixed to a vehicle will now set you back Kes200,000 instead of the previous Ksh200.

"Delete the words "two hundred shillings (Ksh200), and on each subsequent conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred shillings (Kes500)" and substitute therefore the words "Kes200,000, and on each subsequent conviction to a fine not exceeding Kes500,000," the new law notes.

Additionally, the new law empowers the police to utilize technology for enforcing traffic regulations, including serving motorists with fines through technological means and introducing instant fines on the roads by the end of July.

Other areas also affected by the freshly assented Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill are matters touching on national security. The law grants the President authority to approve other universities to confer degrees specializing in national security. At the moment, only the National Defence University has been authorized to offer such certifications.

Additionally, the law seeks to restrict industrial action for employees of national organs involved in national security, such as the Kenya Defence Forces and the Kenya Police, aligning with exemptions already granted to these organs under the Employment Act. The National Intelligence Service has also been exempted from the application of the Employment Act.

Read also: Fines loom for unlicensed matatu couriers

Advocates Act

To enhance the efficiency of the justice system, the recent legislation modifies several Acts. Firstly, the Oaths and Statutory Declarations Act is amended to designate the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary as the custodian of the roll of commissioners, replacing the Registrar of the High Court. This amendment also grants the power to administer oaths to the registrar and deputy registrar of both superior and subordinate courts.

Similarly, adjustments are made to the Advocates Act, where the Registrar of the High Court is replaced by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary. Additionally, the Council of the Law Society of Kenya receives expanded authority to establish rules regarding the admission of advocates to the Bar.

Furthermore, revisions to the Notaries Public Act substitute the Registrar of the High Court with the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary.

Finally, under the miscellaneous law, amendments to the Sexual Offences Act entail the replacement of the Registrar of the High Court with the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary. The latter is now responsible for maintaining a register of convicted sexual offenders.

Utamaduni Day that is celebrated on October 10 has been renamed to Mazingira Day under the Public Holidays Act. Mazingira Day is designated as a day where every Kenyan is encouraged to participate in environmental preservation endeavors, such as planting and nurturing trees. This initiative aligns with the government's efforts to expedite the 10-year plan aiming to plant 15 billion trees, focusing on the restoration of forests, wetlands, and rangelands.

The Bill, introduced by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, underwent several revisions before being passed by Parliament.

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