Alcoblow crackdown nets 24 drunk drivers

By Vincent Mabatuk

Nakuru, Kenya: Police and officials of the National Transport Safety Authority in Nakuru arrested several drunk drivers during an overnight crackdown.

24 drivers were arrested and locked up at the Nakuru Central Police station awaiting to be arraigned in court for drunk driving.

The 23 men and a woman were flagged down along Mburu Gichuru road next to Gate house round about, Moi road, Kenyatta Avenue, West road and around other parts of the town on Friday night.

A Chinese national who was nabbed during the crackdown caused drama after he refused to take alcoblow test opting to fight off the officers while others literally bite the machines due to anger and frustration.

Police were also forced to tow motor vehicles to the police station after some drivers who were arrested failed to get sober drivers to drive their vehicles home.

"They have arrested me because I drunk my money, my way back home has been difficult", one of them made a desperate telephone call as he sought for assistance.

More drama ensued after several drivers on noticing traffic police officers flagging down vehicles decided to make illegal U-turns while others reversed their vehicles as they looked for escape routes.

A doctor based at Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital and a proprietor of a chemist in Nakuru town was forced to park his vehicle in the middle of the road and fled into the dark streets with police officers in hot pursuit.

However, his attempts to flee from the scene were not successful as he was caught by police officers and later found to have taken too much for the road.

His colleague who came to his rescue told the officers that the suspects had been called to attend to an emergency call at PGH and pleaded to be released even after his alcohol test indicated 0.46 way above the legal limits.

In some instances, some drivers were unable even to move out of their vehicles due to their drunken state.

A Nakuru County government official was forced to pull her t-shirt to cover her face in shame after police officers arrested her as she pleaded for mercy.

Rift Valley region traffic enforcement officer Mary Omari said the exercise was an extension of a daylong crackdown on those breaking traffic rules along the Nairobi- Nakuru highway.