Traffic lights in Kenya, their sequence and meaning – Updated for 2018

This animation shows the colours and sequence of traffic lights in Kenya. Despite their rarity outside two or three main cities, questions about traffic lights are a favorite during the driving test. For example:

• What are traffic lights?
• What is their purpose?
• What is the meaning of traffic lights colours used in Kenya?
• What is the sequence of traffic lights in Kenya and what does each step mean?

Read on for the answers to these and other related questions.

Traffic lights and signals are an important part of road signs in Kenya and are categorized as Class C Signs in the Traffic Act.

Traffic lights are automatic signalling devices that consist of light bulbs of different colours that switch on and off in a specific order so as to direct the flow of vehicles and pedestrians at intersections, pedestrian crossings, and other locations. They are installed high on vertical poles and positioned to face the stream of traffic that they regulate.

In Kenya, we use red, amber (a yellowish-orange colour) and green to convey specific instructions to road users. As shown in the animation, they are arranged with red at the top, amber in the middle, and green at the bottom.

To manage the flow of traffic, the different colors are switched on and off in a repeating sequence that tells road users when they must stop, when they must wait, and when it is safe to proceed. Kenya uses the 3 colours and 4-step sequence shown in the animation above.

The four steps and associated colours have the following meaning:

1. Red: Every vehicle approaching this light must stop before crossing the stop line. Vehicles must not drive across the line until the light turns green. And then, only if proceeding can be done without endangering or inconveniencing any other vehicle;
2. Red and amber, lit up together: The red light is joined by amber and together they signal to drivers that the green light is about to come on. The requirement imposed by the red light remains in effect. Therefore vehicles must not cross the stop line until the green light actually turns on (and the red and amber switch off);
3. Green: All vehicles may now cross the stop line and proceed but must pay attention to the safety of other road users. Drivers must obey any instructions of uniformed police officers or other authorized person who may be engaged in the regulation of traffic;
4. Amber: This light, illuminated alone, follows the green light. Every vehicle travelling on a lane to which this light applies must stop before crossing the stop line. The only exception is a vehicle which is too close to stop safely before crossing it.

The amber light eventually switches off and is replaced by red. Step 1 starts again and the sequence is repeated. The animation above shows this sequence visually.

Some traffic light installations include additional bulbs with arrows. These directional lights regulate traffic travelling in the direction that the arrow points to. For example, an illuminated green arrow pointing to the left means that a vehicle travelling in the left turn lane may proceed with that turn regardless of the state of the other lights in the set. Naturally, this action is subject to the safety of other road users. Likewise, an illuminated red light pointing to the right means that a vehicle travelling in the right-turn lane must stop before crossing the stop line then wait for a green light.

In practice, traffic lights are mainly in use only in Nairobi and Mombasa. Despite this, every driver needs to be familiar with the colours, their meaning, their sequence and the meaning of each step as these are favorite questions for examiners.

• Download our Road Signs of Kenya eBook for more details on traffic lights and other road signs in Kenya.
• Test your driving knowledge with our free online Kenya Driving Quiz.