In a move to combat the rising number of road accidents nationwide, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has announced that the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), in collaboration with the police, will begin deploying Breathalyzers on major roads across the country from the second week of April.

The decision comes into force as data gleaned from the International Road Assessment Programme (IRAP) shows that Kenya losses over Ksh450 billion ($3.5 billion) per year through deaths and property damage through avoidable road accidents.

On Monday, the cabinet secretary declared that any driver found operating a vehicle with alcohol levels exceeding the legal limit will face penalties of up to Ksh100, 000 ($770) fine or a prison sentence not exceeding two years, or both.

In addition, the cabinet secretary warned that anyone convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol will have their driving license cancelled for one year.

IRAP’s Safety Insights Explorer, says “achieving UN Target 4 for greater than 75 per cent of travel on 3-star or better roads for all road users in the country by 2030 stands to save over one million lives and serious injuries over the 20-year life of road treatments with an economic benefit of $32.6 billion – $10.40 for every $1 spent.”

Last year, Kenya launched the 2024-2028 Action Plan that was billed by the East African nation’s economic and development partners as “a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to save lives and prevent serious injuries on Kenyan roads.”

The launch road safety programme was officiated President William Ruto and attended by European Union ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger. The programme outlines for a rolling set of IRAP assessments to be undertaken of Class A, B and C paved roads and major urban road networks in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret and Nakuru, to identify high-risk road sections.

Cabinet Secretary Chirchir pointed out that the recent amendments to the law passed by the National Assembly have reinstated powers to the NTSA to enforce drink-driving laws, addressing previous court rulings.

“Consequently, the NTSA will be establishing these checkpoints in accordance with the Traffic (Drink-Driving) Rules, 2025, which were created through the amendment of Section 4 of the Traffic Act, CAP 403,” he said.

The cabinet secretary announced that he has already signed and submitted the updated regulations for re-gazettement, with publication expected this week, followed by immediate enforcement.

Moreover, he stated that NTSA had been mandated to oversee inspection of private vehicles through private inspection centres, as well as the inspection of public service vehicles, school transport, commercial vehicles, and vehicles used by driving schools.

The recently introduced legislation encompasses the Traffic (Drink-Driving) Rules 2025, the Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules 2025, the Operation of Commercial Service Vehicles Rules 2025 and the Traffic (School Transport) Rules 2025.

The programme was intended to provide feedback on progress made on the Northern Corridor since the last IRAP survey in 2009 and provide critical and current insight into the safety of all road users, particularly vulnerable pedestrians and motorcyclists. The Safer Road Investment Plans will be developed to prioritise evidence-based safety improvements and inform road authority projects.

National capacity building in road safety engineering techniques and management will include a focus on the IRAP methodology and tools. Notably, the plan marks a departure from past approaches by integrating road design and safety as integral components.

Along with improvements to road infrastructure, other key focusses of the plan include vehicle safety standards, stricter enforcement measures, heightened public awareness campaigns, post-crash care services, promotion of safe driving practices, road safety database development, and monitoring and evaluation systems.

Following a visit to the victims of the Saturday, April 5, 2024, road accident along the Kaplong-Kapkatet road, which tragically resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals, the CS stated that the new measures were essential in protecting the lives of Kenyans.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Hellen Lunalo