Driver fined Sh40,000 for hitting, injuring traffic policeman

Police officers inspect vehicles along the Nyeri-Nyahururu road during a routine traffic check. A man has been slapped with a hefty fine for hitting a traffic officer on the Nyeri-Nyahururu highway. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Benson Kamau pleaded guilty but expressed remorse for his actions.
  • At the time the incident occured, police said an alco-blow test showed his alcohol consumption levels were high.
  • Mr Kamau said he did not see the officers or the police spike strips.

A drunk driver was on Wednesday fined Sh40,000 or in default to serve one year in jail for hitting and injuring a traffic police officer who was manning a road block.

Mr Benson Kamau was convicted on his own guilty plea by Nyeri Senior Resident Magistrate Ruth Kefa.

He admitted that on the night of June 25, 2019 he hit a police officer named John Koya, who was among officers controlling movement of vehicles at a road block at Solio junction on Nyeri-Nyahururu highway.

The court heard that Mr Kamau was driving his private car towards Nyeri when he was stopped by the officers but defied order, instead drove over a spike strip.

On been tested with the alco-blow device, his alcoholic consumption levels were found to be in excess of 35 micrograms.

The prosecution said police noted that the driver was not in control of the vehicle at the time of the incident.

But in mitigation, Mr Kamau said he never saw the officers stopping him or the signs placed on the road.

He blamed an oncoming vehicle which had its lights full for the accident but said he was remorseful.