Regulatory Signs in Kenya

Regulatory signs give orders that drivers must obey. In Kenya, they are circular in shape. Prohibition signs have a red border on a white background; mandatory signs have a white symbol on a blue background. Ignoring a regulatory sign is a traffic offence enforced by NTSA and traffic police.

Prohibition signs tell you what you must not do. Common examples include "No Entry" (a white horizontal bar on a red circle), "No U-turn," "No Overtaking," and "No Parking." You will see "No Entry" signs on one-way streets in Nairobi CBD, Mombasa Old Town, and other urban centres.

Mandatory signs tell you what you must do. A blue circle with a white arrow pointing left means "Turn Left Only." Other mandatory signs include "Keep Left," "Roundabout" (compulsory circulation), and minimum speed limit signs. The Stop sign is a special regulatory sign: it is octagonal with a red background and white text. You must bring the vehicle to a complete stop and check for safety before proceeding. The Give Way sign is an inverted triangle with a red border.