Senator Joy Gwendo fails alcoblow test, spends night at Muthaiga police station

Nominated senator Joy Gwendo

By CYRUS OMBATI

NAIROBI, KENYA: A Senator is among 36 people who were at the weekend arrested by police for driving while being drunk in Nairobi.

Nominated TNA senator Joy Gwendo spent her night in police cells at the Muthaiga police station after she failed a test of an alcoblow.

She was released Sunday morning after paying a cash bail of Sh10,000 and police said they expect her to appear in court Monday.

She was among those who failed the test of a breathlyser as police intensified their operations on drunk driving in the city.

The legislator was driving to her residence in Muthaiga when she was flagged down. Officers involved in the operation said she did not resist the arrest and her bodyguard arrived there later and picked up the car.

Outgoing traffic commandant Samuel Kimaru said those arrested on Saturday night are expected in court Monday.

Senators Mongare Okongo (Nyamira) and Nairobi’s Mike Sonko rushed to Muthaiga police station to try to bail out their colleague but were informed she had left.

“We arrived and were informed she had been freed on cash bail,” said Okongo.

The other drivers arrested at various roadblocks that had been mounted by police and officials from the ministry of transport using breathalysers.

Kimaru said the usage of the gadget has seen a drop in accidents caused by drunk driving.

“We are not sparing anyone in enforcing the law; anyone found driving under the influence of alcohol will have to face the law. If you are drunk, get a driver to take you where you are going,” Kimaru said.

He added they usually record nil fatal accidents in Nairobi and other urban areas where the gadgets have been introduced.