Drunk driving in Kenya: Fines, jail terms and other penalties explained
By Valerian Khakayi, July 10, 2026Drunk driving is a serious traffic offence in Kenya and one of the leading causes of road crashes.
To curb alcohol-related accidents and improve road safety, the government, through the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), has introduced strict laws that impose hefty fines, jail terms and the suspension of driving licences for offenders.
What are the penalties?
According to the Traffic (Drunk Driving) Rules, 2023, motorists caught driving under the influence shall face a fine not exceeding Ksh100,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both. In addition, the driver’s licence will be suspended for six months.
The six-month licence suspension applies to drivers of public service vehicles (PSVs), commercial service vehicles and school transport service vehicles who are convicted of the offence.
For private vehicle drivers, a six-month licence suspension will apply if they are convicted of traffic offences more than once within a year.
Drunk driving law
The law defines drunk driving as driving under the influence. It refers to the act of driving, operating or taking control of a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol to a degree beyond the prescribed legal limit.
It also states that no person shall drive, attempt to drive or be in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place if they have consumed alcohol beyond the prescribed limit.
“No person shall drive, attempt to drive, or be in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place if the person has consumed alcohol in such quantity that the blood alcohol concentration in his body is beyond the prescribed limit,” reads part of the law.
Why is the law strict?
Alcohol impairs judgement, concentration, coordination and reaction time, increasing the likelihood of road crashes. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect a driver’s ability to make sound decisions and respond quickly to emergencies.
The strict penalties are intended to deter motorists from driving while intoxicated and to protect passengers, pedestrians and other road users.
Alcohol test
Police use an alcoblow to test motorists suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. The test may also be conducted after a road crash to determine whether a driver is fit to operate a vehicle.
Under the traffic rules, a driver is considered to have exceeded the legal alcohol limit if they record more than 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood, or 107 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine.