Kenya drives on the left side of the road. The country has a comprehensive and increasingly enforced road traffic regulation system managed by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). For hire vehicle drivers in 2027/2028, understanding Kenya’s speed limits, speed camera locations, police checkpoint protocol, and Nairobi traffic patterns is essential for avoiding fines, delays, and vehicle impoundment situations that can derail a time-sensitive safari itinerary. This guide covers every driving rule Kenya’s self-drive visitors need before they leave the hire company’s compound.
Speed Limits
- Urban areas (Nairobi and other cities): 50km/h
- Built-up areas and market centres: 50km/h (enforced strictly)
- Tarmac highway outside towns: 100km/h (A-class roads)
- Some A-class dual carriageways: 110km/h where signed
- School zones: 30km/h during school hours
- Speed bumps (sleeping policemen): ubiquitous at town entries and exits in Kenya — slow to walking pace before each one or you will damage the vehicle undercarriage
NTSA Speed Cameras
Kenya has deployed fixed and mobile speed cameras extensively since 2023. Fixed cameras are on the A104 highway (Nairobi-Nakuru-Eldoret), the A109 Mombasa Road, the Nairobi Southern Bypass, the Thika Superhighway, and approach roads to major safari destinations. Mobile cameras are operated by uniformed NTSA officers on roadsides — they are distinct from police roadblocks and specifically target speed enforcement. Camera fines for hire vehicles are typically communicated to the hire company via the vehicle registration and deducted from the driver’s deposit. Drive at the posted speed limits and reduce by 10km/h at town entry signs to create a buffer before the 50km/h zone begins.
Police Checkpoints: The Correct Protocol
Kenya Police checkpoints are common on all major highways and mandatory stops outside major towns. The protocol:
- Slow and stop completely at the barrier
- Roll down the driver window before the officer approaches
- Greet the officer and have documents ready: licence, IDP (if foreign national), vehicle registration, Yellow Card
- State your destination and the number of passengers if asked
- If asked to move to the inspection area, do so without argument and request any fee payment be processed with an official NTSA receipt
- Do not offer unofficial payments — Kenya Police corruption at checkpoints has reduced significantly since NTSA oversight increased in 2022/2023, and offering unofficial payments can itself create complications
International Driving Permit (IDP)
Kenya requires foreign nationals to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national driving licence when driving in the country. The IDP requirement is specifically checked at police checkpoints for foreign-registered hire vehicles and at border crossings. Obtain the IDP before departure from your country’s motoring association (AA, RAC, AAA equivalent). The IDP translates your licence details into multiple languages including French, Spanish, German, Arabic, and others — it is a supplementary document, not a standalone licence (you must carry both).
Nairobi Traffic: When to Drive and When Not To
Nairobi’s rush hour traffic is severe and can double or triple drive time across the city. Key patterns: morning peak 7:30am to 9:30am inbound to the CBD; evening peak 5pm to 8pm outbound. The Ngong Road, Uhuru Highway, Waiyaki Way, and Thika Road are most severely affected. For hire vehicle drivers departing Nairobi for a safari, the optimal departure times are: 5:00am to 6:30am (before the rush), or after 9:30am (when traffic has cleared). Departing at 7:30am from Karen to the Masai Mara via Ngong Road can add 45 to 90 minutes of dead time before even reaching the city boundary — time that eats into your safari arrival and first game drive.
Mandatory Vehicle Equipment
- Two reflective warning triangles (must be placed on road in breakdown)
- Fire extinguisher (confirm in hire vehicle at pickup)
- First aid kit
- Valid third-party insurance (COMESA Yellow Card for cross-border)
- Seatbelts: mandatory for all occupants — penalty for non-use is enforced at checkpoints
- Mobile phone: use of hand-held mobile while driving is illegal and increasingly enforced
Key Road Conditions Kenya 2027/2028
- Nairobi-Narok (B3): Good tarmac, dual carriageway portions, 2 hours for 160km
- Narok-Sekenani Gate (Mara): Tarmac first 20km then murram — condition seasonal
- Nairobi-Nakuru (A104): Excellent dual carriageway, 2 hours for 160km
- Nairobi-Nanyuki (A2): Good tarmac, some sections with speed bumps through towns, 2.5 hours for 195km
- Nanyuki-Samburu (via Isiolo): Tarmac to Isiolo, murram final 50km, good condition dry season
