Alcoblow Is Back, Drink And Drive At Your Own Risk

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Davis Chirchir, has announced a raft of new measures aimed at combating the worrying rise in road accidents across Kenya.

In a detailed statement released on Sunday, April 6, 2025, CS Chirchir revealed that beginning this week, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), in collaboration with the National Police Service, will start erecting alcohol breathalyzer checkpoints on major roads across the country.

The CS noted that the move is part of a broader government strategy to enforce road safety, especially as incidents of drunk driving continue to pose a significant threat to the lives of motorists, passengers, and pedestrians.

According to Chirchir, any driver found operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol beyond the prescribed limit will face serious legal consequences. Offenders will be liable to a hefty fine of up to Ksh 100,000 or risk imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both penalties.

Furthermore, any motorist convicted of drunk driving will be disqualified from obtaining or renewing a driving license for a minimum period of one year.

The enforcement of these measures comes after the National Assembly amended previous laws that had been nullified by the courts, thereby restoring NTSA’s mandate to carry out drink-driving enforcement operations.

“The government has amended the Traffic Act, particularly Section 4 of CAP 403, paving the way for the Traffic (Drink-Driving) Rules, 2025, to take effect. This gives NTSA the legal backing to mount breathalyzer checkpoints and enforce the new regulations,” Chirchir stated.

The CS also confirmed that he had already signed the new regulations and submitted them for re-gazettement. The new laws are expected to be published within the week, after which enforcement will commence immediately.

“Any person found driving, attempting to drive, or in charge of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs beyond the legal limit will be prosecuted under the new rules,” Chirchir warned.

Beyond targeting drunk drivers, the government is also rolling out a set of new traffic laws aimed at regulating various aspects of Kenya’s transport sector.

These new regulations include:

Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules 2025: Regulating the inspection of both private and public service vehicles.

Operation of Commercial Service Vehicles Rules 2025: Setting standards for the management and operation of commercial vehicles, particularly those whose tare weight exceeds 3,480 kg.

Traffic (School Transport) Rules 2025: Establishing clear guidelines on the operation and management of school transport services, ensuring the safety of school-going children.

CS Chirchir emphasized that the NTSA will play a critical role in enforcing these new regulations, including overseeing private motor vehicle inspection centers, inspecting public service vehicles, school buses, commercial transport vehicles, and vehicles used for driving school training.

The announcement of the new traffic rules comes just a day after a tragic road accident along the Kaplong-Kapkatet road claimed the lives of 15 people on Saturday, April 5, 2025. The accident involved a head-on collision between a public service vehicle and a lorry, leaving many families in mourning.

During a visit to the accident scene and those injured in the crash, CS Chirchir expressed his deep condolences to the affected families and reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing road safety.

“We cannot continue to lose lives on our roads due to recklessness and negligence. These new measures are necessary, and we will enforce them firmly to prevent such tragedies in the future,” Chirchir stated.

He added, “To the families who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident, I extend my deepest sympathies and condolences. We must act to ensure such painful losses are not repeated.”

Meanwhile, the National Police Service (NPS) has launched thorough investigations to determine the exact cause of the deadly Kaplong-Kapkatet road accident. Preliminary findings suggest that the fatal crash was the result of a head-on collision between a public service vehicle and a lorry.

NPS has urged all road users to exercise maximum caution while on the roads, observing all traffic rules to help prevent similar accidents in the future.

As the new regulations take effect, the government has sent a strong signal that reckless behavior on Kenyan roads will no longer be tolerated and that the safety of all road users remains a top priority.

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