As the government has been threatening to have the Alco-blow breathalyzers back on the roads, concern is being raised about their proper usage.
Owing to complaints of bribery in 2005-6, when the gadgets were last in use around Nairobi, the Motorists Association of Kenya has come forth with tongues lashing.
Chairman Peter Murima says that once effected, the Alco-blow breathalyzer must be used correctly.
Murima is calling on the Commissioner of Police to ensure that officers do not take advantage of the device to extort money from drivers.
He says police officers must ascertain that a driver is drunk and dangerous on the road before using the breathalyzer.
As an organization Murima says they will protest against overzealous use of the device especially for purpose of selfish gains from police officers.
Murima says since traffic cases are not criminal, motorists must therefore be treated with utmost respect.
Transport Minister Amos Kimunya gazzetted the use of the Alco Blow last month to end road carnage, which has in many cases been blamed on drunk driving.
The breathalysers were taken off the road in January 2006 after motorists complained that it was a violation of their constitutional rights.
In the latest developments worldwide meanwhile Toyota and Nissan are developing anti-drunk driving equipment that would lock the ignition if a driver is detected to have too much alcohol.
For Toyota, the system features a hand-held breathalyser, equipped with a digital camera, that detects alcohol consumption and photographs the driver’s face for identification, according to a company statement.
I wonder what the odds are that that Toyota model may not be too popular in Kenya.
By LORDRICK MAYABI and LAURA WALUBENGO
