Police in Gatundu South have arrested a matatu driver and his tout for allegedly drinking during the day.
The arrest came after public outcry as drunk drivers are operating passenger vehicles in the area.
Also arrested was the bar maid in the 12pm raid, on Tuesday, which caught the patrons by surprise.
Confirming the incident, area OCPD Peter Katam said that they raided Prestige Bar at 12pm and arrested the matatu driver David Mbugua and his conductor Samuel Wainaina while drinking as they waited for their matatu to load commuters.
He said that police were acting on a tip off from members of the public who had complained that the bar that is 100 meters from the Gatundu Bus Park opens early to serve customers who enter through the back door.
Katam said that most of the patrons in the bar are said to be matatu drivers and their touts, a practice he said has contributed to the rising numbers of fatal accidents in the area in the last two months.
He said, “Police in the area will continue with the raids to get rid of irresponsible drivers. The three have been arraigned in court and a stringent fine as stipulated in the new constitution in the traffic offences directive is expected to be applied.”
The OCPD revealed that his office has already written to the district liquor licensing court to have the bar closed for contravening the Alcohol Act 2010.
Drama unfolded when the police tried to arrest drunken patrons with some too drunk to flee in the noon saga which saw commuters baying for the blood of the drivers caught unaware by the happenings.