Written By Joyce Nzomo
A woman has been fined KSh 20,000 for failing to provide a breath specimen when stopped by police on suspicion of drunk driving.
Mary Onyango appeared before a Thika court on Monday, June 23, 2025, after being arrested in the Gatitu area while driving a Mitsubishi Pajero.
According to the charge sheet, she refused to take a breathalyzer test when instructed by traffic officers, an offence under Kenya’s traffic laws.
The prosecution told the court that the officers had reasonable grounds to suspect Ms Onyango was under the influence of alcohol, but she declined to comply with a lawful instruction to undergo the alcohol blow test.
When asked to respond to the charge, Ms Onyango pleaded guilty. In her mitigation, she apologised to the court, saying she regretted her actions and promised not to repeat the offence.
In delivering the sentence, the magistrate noted that while she had shown remorse, compliance with traffic safety laws is not optional.
“Instructions by law enforcement officers, especially in relation to road safety, must be respected,” the magistrate said.
Ms Onyango was fined KSh 20,000, with the alternative of serving eight months in prison if she fails to pay.
