12 drivers arrested in Meru as NTSA intensifies anti-drink-driving crackdown

12 drivers arrested in Meru as NTSA intensifies anti-drink-driving crackdown - NTSA officials and traffic police conducting road Safety compliance checks on vehicles on the Nairobi Nakuru highway. (Photo: NTSA)

The NTSA said the arrests followed an inter-agency road safety compliance operation aimed at enforcing traffic regulations and improving safety on Kenyan roads.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has arrested 12 drivers and impounded their vehicles following a road safety operation in Meru County, with eight found driving under the influence of alcohol.

In a statement issued on Saturday, October 31, NTSA said the arrests followed an inter-agency road safety compliance operation aimed at enforcing traffic regulations and improving safety on Kenyan roads.

The Authority also revealed that one of the arrested drivers refused to provide a breath specimen for analysis during the operation.

“Eight (8) of those apprehended were driving under the influence of alcohol, while one (1) driver refused to provide a breath specimen for analysis,” the authority stated.

NTSA raised concern over the number of motorists found driving while intoxicated, with breathalyser tests revealing alcohol levels significantly above the legal limit of 0.35 milligrams per litre (mg/l).

“Officers recorded Breath Alcohol Content (BrAC) readings as high as 1.483 mg/l, 1.295 mg/l, 1.189 mg/l, 1.149 mg/l, and 0.780 mg/l - all significantly higher than the legal limit of 0.35 mg/l,” NTSA stated.

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It warned that driving under the influence of alcohol endangers motorists, passengers and other road users, noting that high levels of intoxication impair judgment and increase the risk of fatal crashes.

“Drink-driving endangers everyone on the road. At these extreme levels of intoxication, judgment is severely impaired, and the risk of a fatal crash increases significantly,” the authority said.

The operation comes as NTSA intensifies enforcement under its Msimu Bila Ajali, Usalama Barabarani campaign, which involves collaboration with law enforcement agencies to identify motorists violating traffic regulations.

The campaign includes inspections targeting speeding, vehicle roadworthiness, driver documentation, compliance with speed limiter requirements and overloading, alongside breathalyser tests to detect drink-driving.

NTSA has urged motorists to familiarise themselves with the Traffic (Drink-Driving) Rules, 2026, cooperate with officers at checkpoints and observe traffic regulations.

The crackdown follows recent warnings to miraa transporters over dangerous overtaking and speeding along the Meru-Nanyuki Road amid concerns over a series of fatal road accidents.

The Authority has called on motorists to act responsibly and prioritise road safety to help prevent further loss of life.