Police in Athi River, Machakos County have arrested a 40-year-old man for allowing his 9-year-old child to drive his vehicle, a Toyota Passo, on Mombasa Road.
Athi River Sub-County Police Commander Mary Njoki said motorists who spotted the minor, a 9-year-old male pupil, on the driver's seat, alerted authorities, leading to the pursuit of the vehicle.
Upon intercepting the car, police found the boy on the driver's seat, his father on the co-driver's seat and the boy's 7-year-old sister on the rear passengers' seat.
Police said when the boy was ordered to pull over, he "sped towards Athi River Township".
The vehicle was, however, intercepted at a diversion leading to the school where the minors learn.
The children's father was arrested and taken to Athi River Police Station. His children were later taken to school by police officers.
Athi River police boss Mary Njoki said it is illegal for any Kenyan to allow unlicensed people to drive their vehicle.
Section 30 (Sub-Section 2) of the Traffic Act says: "No person who owns or who has charge of a motor vehicle of any class shall cause or permit any person to drive such motor vehicle unless such person is the holder of a valid driving licence or a valid provisional licence endorsed in respect of that class of motor vehicle."
It adds: "Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable - on first conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months; and on each subsequent conviction to a fine not exceeding thirty thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment."
Njoki said the suspect will be arraigned at the Mavoko Law Courts.
"Parents should not allow their children to drive vehicles. A driver's license is only issued to Kenyans aged 18 years and above. If an unlicensed driver is allowed to drive, he or she endangers his or her life and that of other road users," said Njoki.
