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Michuki Tried and Failed will Alco blow Stand Test of Time


By Henry Onyango

The re-introduction of a special device to help avert drunk driving and consequently reduce accidents in Kenyan roads is already bearing fruits and must be lauded.

The heinous road accidents in Kenya are majorly according to police caused by careless driving by drivers who believe that they can still do it better behind the wheels after taking a bottle or two of the brain –shackling alcoholic substances.

 The success in curbing road accidents in the country is majorly as a result of the drunk-driving awareness campaign, which led to the re-introduction of the Alcoblow breathalyzers over the festive season in 2013.

Kenya’s Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau said that the reintroduction of the gadget had already saved many lives from the horror of road accidents as result of careless driving.

The CS intimated that 141 people had perished in accidents between January 1 and 14 in 2013 compared to 203 within the same period in 2012.

“The number is still high but at least there are signs it has gone down by 62. We want to bring it down drastically,” Mr Kamau told The Standard Newspaper after receiving two enhanced models of breathalysers donated by a UK company, Pottermark Enterprises recently.

As expected the beer lovers who would rather die in the roads than take the recommended two bottles and drive have vehemently resisted the government attempt in control of the terrific traffic accidents.

Most of the drivers through their dubious connections in social media  have in fact created a face book page and a twitter account to update them on the acrimonious police arrests and areas within Nairobi the police officers are undertaking their constitutional duties.

The Drunk drivers have often beaten the police at their own game by hiring temporary drivers for short distances and networking with fellow imbibers on social media to find out police movements.

However the Transport Cabinet Secretary who like former Transport Minister the late John Michuki introduced tough traffic rules that would see the dirty shabby-looking matatu touts learn that those matatu seats can only accommodate a single passenger at a time, any long term plan to avert the traffic accidents must be approached with caution it deserves.

‘Michuki rules’ as they are popularly known are no more, police bribery are at their highest and the very senior cops have now eluded the industry through the introduction of unroadworthy vehicles plying several routes within the city suburbs. The touts have the bragging rights.

In this route from Kawangware to Westlands dubbed No.48  matatus not owned by the cops around the area only go half the distance to ABC place along Waiyaki way and charge same bus fare- a relatively disgusting trend and major inconvenience to the hundreds of commuters who connect daily to work.

Despite the self denials amongst the drivers’ sanity accidents in Kenyan roads must be put to an end if not merely reduced.

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