County Reintroduce Alcohol Blow to Curb Accidents Ahead of Festive Season

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

As holiday revellers prepare to flock to the coastal city for end-year festivities, the Mombasa County transport department has announced plans to reintroduce alcohol blow as a measure to curb drunkard driving during the festive season.

The county head of disaster and coordination Ibrahim Basafar said many private and public transport operators continue to flout traffic rules by overindulging in alcohol and other substances, thus putting lives at risk.

Basafar, who also serves as the County chief fire officer said the county government would work with the national police service (NPS) traffic unit to ensure safety on the roads.

“We are sending a strong notice to all road operators that this festive season we will reintroduce alcohol blow to ensure no driver is on the road while drunk. It is one of the measures to ensure safety on our roads,” he said.

He spoke during the procession to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, from Makupa Police Station to St. Augustine School.

He represented Mombasa County Transport CECM Daniel Manyala.

Basafar noted that more than 4,500 people have died in road crashes this year alone, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced safety measures.

His message was echoed by NTSA Coast Region Manager Nausea Sankan, who confirmed extensive crackdowns targeting PSV operators to eliminate unroadworthy vehicles from the roads.

He warned that drunk driving overspeeding, overloading, and unregistered PSV operations will not be tolerated during the festivities.

“We are going to have intensified operations in collaboration with the National Police Service Traffic Department to instill sanity on our roads this festive season,” she said.

She added that all long-distance PSV companies must comply with the regulation requiring two drivers per bus to prevent driver fatigue during the busy period.

“We are working with bus companies and want them to enforce their internal rules before we begin cracking down on those who flout existing laws,” she noted.

Road users were urged to speak out whenever they observe drivers who are drunk, overspeeding, using mobile phones, ignoring road signs, or violating traffic regulations.

Matatu Owners Association National Vice Chairperson Ali Salim Bathez reaffirmed the association’s commitment to ensuring operators adhere to traffic rules to prevent crashes.

Authorities in the region also emphasized the need for continuous public sensitization, noting that pedestrians remain among the most affected road users.

Kevin Ismael, communication officer for the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, said the organization has been conducting various road safety activities in Mombasa, including improving road markings and securing school crossing zones.

“We have done a lot of awareness work and will continue until everyone understands their role in using the road responsibly, to reduce crashes and deaths,” he said.

St. John Ambulance regional chairman Joshua Kenga reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to offering emergency assistance on the roads throughout the festive season.