Don't drink and drive this festive season, Mututho warns motorists

BARINGO COUNTY: The anti-narcotics agency has warned motorists against drunk-driving this festive season, saying more breathalysers (Alcoblow) will be deployed.

National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) Chairman John Mututho noted many road accidents happening during festive holidays have a direct correlation with alcoholism.

He was speaking in Eldepe in Marigat, Baringo County, during the Ilchamus community's cultural festival at the weekend.

"Being a busy celebratory holiday, many people would like to enjoy themselves by indulging in drinking, which could lead to loss of lives from accidents. My team will not go on holiday as we will be conducting surveillance until the season is over," said Mr Mututho.

The Nacada boss, famous for the dreaded 'Mututho laws', said the authority had acquired sophisticated machines to test drug abuse in people through saliva samples, a step he noted was a milestone in the fight against hard drugs among youths in Kenya.

Mututho said there was nothing wrong with traditional brews such as muratina, busaa and mnazi during the festive season as long as brewers had temporary licences guaranteeing the safety of the alcohol.

The former Naivasha MP praised the nomination of Kajiado Central MP Major General (Rtd) Joseph Nkaissery for the Interior ministry docket, saying he would strengthen law enforcement in the fight against alcoholism.

"Nkaissery is a man I have known for many years as we served together in Parliament and even before, and he is a man who stands tall in his activities," he said.