Kenyan veteran event organiser Chris Kirwa has faulted individuals who are responsible for alerting drunk drivers about alcoblow roadblocks.
In a statement published on his official Instagram account on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, Kirwa said that people who are in WhatsApp groups whose main agenda is to inform drunk drivers about the alcoblow checkpoint are equally responsible for escalating accidents caused by those driving under the influence of alcohol.
According to Kirwa, the informers are not only enabling drunk drivers to break the law but also contributing to the potential loss of lives.
Additionally, the event manager further emphasized that all citizenry have a responsibility to prevent these accidents caused by drunk driving and not encourage them.
“If you are in a Whats App group whose main agenda is to alert drunk drivers where the alcoblow roadblocks are located, you are also responsible for escalating accidents caused by drunk driving,” Kirwa said.
“Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is the crime of operating a motor vehicle while being affected by alcohol or other drugs. You are facilitating fatal accidents. Stop designate a driver or use a taxi home or to the next bar.”
Kindiki on drunk driving
On March 21, 2024, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki disclosed that drunk driving is a major cause of road crashes in the country.
“Drunk driving is a major cause of road traffic crashes. 1,086 drivers have been arrested and prosecuted from 1st January to 29th February 2024. In the same period, motorcycle-related accidents led to 255 deaths. 5,590 motorcyclists have been apprehended and prosecuted and 6,692 motorcycles detained,” Kindiki revealed.
Announcing measures that will help curb road accidents caused by reckless drivers, Kindiki said that his ministry in collaboration with the transport ministry, will unveil nationwide enforcement measures that aim at getting rid of unroadworthy vehicles and apprehending rogue drivers and riders.
“Traffic accidents are a National catastrophe that must be dealt with as a priority through strict enforcement of traffic laws as outlined in Section 69 of the Traffic Act. Next week, the Ministries of Interior and National Administration and Transport and Infrastructure will unveil Nationwide Enforcement measures that will be comprehensively implemented to get rid of unroadworthy vehicles and apprehend rogue drivers and riders,” he said.
