Drivers told to avoid alcohol, obey traffic rules

Interior PS Raymond Omollo speaks at KICD, Nairobi, on December 14, 2022. [Kelly Ayodi, Standard]

Police have warned Kenyans against drinking and driving during this festive season, saying those found will be prosecuted.

Speaking during a consultative meeting on upscaling the fight against alcohol abuse, the Principal Secretary, State Department of Interior and National Administration Raymond Omollo said consumption of illicit alcohol and drugs tends to rise during this festive season.

"As we approach Christmas and the New Year, the country will likely experience a major spike in this uptake," Omollo said.

Further, the PS called on the police to be extra vigilant in order to save lives.

"This crackdown is timely as it mitigates the potential harm of illicit brews and counterfeit alcohol that is mostly traded in non-compliant premises," he added.

Omollo said the Government is not against legitimate alcohol businesses saying licensed traders will be accorded the necessary support and security.

On his part, Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome said the police will not sit back and watch while Kenyans lose lives on the road.

Koome urged all regional commanders to ensure that motorists are observing traffic rules.

The police boss said nine lives lost along Nakuru-Nairobi highway was due to careless driving.

At the same time, Omollo said the proliferation of substandard and counterfeit alcohol in the market that do not comply with laid out regulations and sale of brands that do not have genuine standardisation on the rise.

The PS also observed that overwhelming cases of deplorable health standards in alcohol-selling premises and alcoholic premises have led to loss of many lives in the country.

Central, Western, Nyanza and Rift Valley are leading in abuse of alcohol.