Hours following the breaking of the news that the Kenyan Court of Appeal has overruled the use of a breathalyzer gadget (popularly known as Alcoblow) to arrest drunk drivers, Kenyans could not hide their joy. Some took to social media, and with memes, they went out to show the road safety policing unit National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) just how happy they were with the judge’s decision.
On Friday, April 7th, a three bench judge ruled that the NTSA act of introducing the alcoblow was inconsistent with the Traffic Act. The judges’ ruled that the use of the gadget be taken up for review by the Parliament. This ruling came about after the Reminisce club located on Langata road took the matter of the use of the alcoblow by the NTSA to court.
Kenyans on Twitter (the infamous #KOT) went all out to celebrate the judges’ ruling while at the same time chiding the NTSA.
This Alcoblow is out because you can drink an energy drink and it detects you alcohol positive😩😩
— Manu Maosa (@Manu_maosa) April 8, 2017
They ask you to blow Alcoblow when you drunk but they don’t even realise Alcoblow has no law backing yet they’re sober. Extortion level 99
— VICTOR (@VctrVik) April 8, 2017
Goodbye alcoblow we won’t miss you
— Fyucha (@Fyucha_) April 8, 2017
@Ma3Route Now that the use of Alcoblow has been termed inconsistent with Traffic Act, drunk driving will be on the rise
— MOSES M. MWANGI. (@MosesMahianyu) April 7, 2017
The excitement that comes with the suspension of Alcoblow breathalyser use by Traffic police is worrying… something smelly in waiting
— Wycliffe Otieno© (@ItsWycliffeKe) April 8, 2017
@citizentvkenya @lillian_muli Do away with alcoblow and legalise bhang
— journalist Mcodhiamb (@Mcodhiambo7) April 8, 2017
Remove all speed bumps on thika road, and now Alcoblow, Am loving this Judiciary.
— Matt (@Proomguy) April 8, 2017
Waaaaa….walevi Nairobi West being interviewed on the ban of alcoblow. Can’t comprehend what they’re saying. @BettyMKyallo #FridayBriefing
— Linet Lwangu (@MMkoshe) April 7, 2017