A 40-year-old man has been arrested in Athi River after he was found allowing his nine-year-old son driving on Mombasa Road today morning.
A traffic police officer noticed the child driving a saloon car in the company of his father, but when flagged by to halt, he instead accelerated towards Athi River township.
The authorities pursued the car and managed to stop it before it entered the private school the two children were attending.
“Our officers managed to corner the boy, who was driving at high speed, before he went past the school gate. He was driving dangerously and he had not fastened the safety belt,” Athi River Base Commander Agnes Makau said.
The man’s seven-year-old daughter was also present in the vehicle. Both of the children were in full school uniforms.
The minors’ father, who happens to be a local contractor, was apprehended and taken to Athi River Police Station with both of his children.
The suspect however baffled the police upon questioning by stating that the child liked to drive at high speed and had already been taught by the father on how to operate the vehicle.
“I taught him how to drive. I had hired a car from a friend to run some errands today. I know it’s dangerous but it happened,” said the non-apologetic father.
Athi River police boss Mary Njoki warned parents against allowing underage children to drive vehicles saying that it was a violation of the law and it endangered other road users.
“We will not tolerate parents acting in utter disregard of the law. The incident was barbaric and dangerous to other road users. Let parents know they will be held responsible in case their [underage] children are caught driving,” she said.
The man will be arraigned in court today.