Drunk Drivers Should Work in Morgue as Punishment, Nairobi MCA Suggests

Kahawa West Ward representative Clement Kamaru has proposed a motion that will seek to ensure anyone caught driving while drunk serves a punishment that entails working for a whole day in any of the city mortuaries in Nairobi county. 

The punishment borders on cleaning and performing any other administrative duties under the watch of the mortuary's chief administrator. According to the MCA, this would be regarded as a form of community service. Mr Kamaru believes that by implementing harsher punishments, the country will record a decrease in the number of fatalities from road accidents. Drunk drivers are largely held responsible for the many accidents that have been reported not only in the city but in the entire nation.

“Those found guilty of driving while intoxicated will be deployed at a mortuary for community service, under a Community Service Order, according to the proposal titled; "Introduction of a Community Service for all Drink and Drive Conviction at the County Mortuary facilities for Deterrence,” the motion reads in part. 

Kamaru stated to the House that although there are laws that allow for the arrest of drunk drivers, the number of road accidents linked to drunk driving has increased, necessitating more punitive measures. For this to become a reality, he believes that the national, county, and judicial systems need to work together. He suggested that the introduction of this kind of community service for offenders could help alter people's outlooks toward drunk driving and increase awareness of the imminent loss of life caused by drunk drivers.