Senator arrested for drink-driving
What you need to know:
- Ms Gwendo said police were only doing their work, adding that as a leader, it was her role to help police uphold the rule of law.
A nominated senator spent a night in a police cell after she was arrested for drink-driving.
Ms Joy Adhiambo Gwendo, who was nominated by TNA to represent the youth, found herself on the wrong side of the law as she drove to her Muthaiga home on Saturday night.
Ms Gwendo was among 40 drivers who failed the breathalyser test at the weekend. She was held at the Muthaiga Police Station.
Speaking to the Nation on phone on Subday, the Senator said she drives herself in the evenings and on weekends.
Ms Gwendo said police were only doing their work, adding that as a leader, it was her role to help police uphold the rule of law.
“I was driving alone... police have a right to detain me if I do not follow the law,” she said.
National Transport and Safety Authority chairman Lee Kinyanjui said the effectiveness of the breathalyser, Alcoblow, has been felt.
Embarrass
Mr Kinyanjui said the use of the gadget was not intended to embarrass anybody, but rather encourage behaviour change among motorists.
“We used to have a lot of accidents on our roads at night, but that has changed since we launched this drive,” he said, adding that Alcoblow will be introduced during the day, targeting PSV and heavy commercial vehicles.
He said drivers who fail the test three times will have their licences revoked.
Starehe OCPD Wabomba Baraza said police will not spare anybody based on their status in society. “If you do not follow the law, you will be arrested.”
Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko went to the station to help her with the release. She was freed after paying a Sh10,000 cash bail.
Ms Gwendo, 33, worked at the Royal Media Services before thrusting herself into politics. She has also authored a 300-page dictionary that translates Luo to English and English to Luo.
