Nairobi governor to launch traffic cameras next week

The traffic cameras expected to ensure strict observance of traffic laws in Kenya will be unveiled next week by Evans Kidero, Nairobi governor, during the Kenya@50 celebrations beginning December 11.

Reports in August showed that the installation of digital traffic lights with countdown timers were to free up the number of police officers controlling roundabouts across the city with plans to install CCTV cameras.

The cameras are set to capture registration numbers of offenders’ vehicles and photograph their faces, which will then be relayed to the server room situated at the Nairobi county headquarters.

“Our CCTV system captures the photograph, that is why if you jump the lights there is a flash light that comes on and that enables the cameras to capture your face properly and also indicate the time,” Evans Ondieki, the committee member in charge of Roads, public works and transport, told Capital News.

“Preparations are at an advanced stage, everything is ready except that there is equipment that synchronizes all the information to our server at City Hall,” Ondieki said.

“That is the only thing that had not been completed by the contractor but they are working on it.”

The cameras will operate for 24 hours a day all days including public holidays with motorists being urged to familiarise themselves with traffic regulations to avoid being caught.

The project is planned to further roll out more cameras within Nairobi estates, as part of efforts to curb the rising cases of insecurity across the city.