As the Christmas and New Year festivities approach, Kenyan police will return to the roads with specific checks to limit alcohol consumption on drivers.
It is not customary in Kenya to conduct dedicated checks on what is also an important issue, due to the high number of alcohol and hard liquor users in the country.
Apart from the urban belt of Nairobi, it is difficult to see law enforcement checkpoints equipped with alcohol tests, or the "balloon."
So that even tourists and foreign residents who frequent other parts of Kenya than the capital are not used to having to restrict themselves if they later decide to drive and do not have the right parameters.
These days, police have warned Kenyans against drinking and driving during the holidays. Interior Minister Raymond Omollo said those found to be intoxicated will be prosecuted.
"As Christmas and the New Year approach, the country is likely to experience a surge in the consumption of alcoholic beverages," Omollo pointed out, urging police to be especially vigilant to save lives.
For his part, Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome said police will not stand by while Kenyans lose lives on the road. Koome urged all regional commanders to ensure that motorists obey traffic rules.
Given also the malpractice of some officers, in the face of the habit of bribery especially against foreigners, everyone is advised to be very careful and in the case of "good nights" or dinners in company where it is natural to raise a little, to use "Italian-style" methods (of the series, drive the teetotaler in the group) or use cabs or tuk tuks.