A government driver attached to the office of the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) in Mutomo Sub-County died on Friday night in a fatal road crash along the Kitui-Kibwezi road near Kisasi market in Kitui Rural Constituency.
The incident occurred shortly after he had dropped off his boss and was heading back to Mutomo. According to initial reports, the vehicle veered off the road and rolled several times before landing in a ditch. The wreckage was discovered and retrieved by authorities on Saturday morning, nearly half a day after the crash.
A close friend of the deceased, who spoke to Channel 15 News on condition of anonymity, revealed that the driver had reportedly consumed alcohol earlier in the evening before being summoned for duty. “He was a little tipsy when we were together. It’s possible he fell asleep at the wheel on his way back,” the friend claimed.
The tragic accident has sparked fresh concerns over the dangers of drunk driving, especially among drivers of government and public service vehicles. According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), drunk driving remains one of the leading causes of road fatalities in Kenya. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, over 1,139 people lost their lives in road crashes—many attributed to alcohol-related impairment.
To curb the growing threat, the NTSA recently reinstated the use of Alcoblow devices across the country’s major roads. Under the Traffic (Drink-Driving) Rules, 2025, drivers found to be intoxicated face fines of up to Ksh100,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Additionally, convicted drivers face mandatory suspension of their licenses for a minimum of one year.
Authorities are urging all motorists to exercise greater responsibility, especially when on official duty, and to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol. Passengers are also encouraged to report any suspected cases of drunk or reckless driving to the nearest police station or through NTSA’s reporting channels.
As investigations continue, this incident serves as a grim reminder of the high cost of negligence on the roads and the urgent need for adherence to traffic laws.
