Nominated Member of Parliament Joseph Wainaina is planning to introduce a Bill at the National Assembly that will enable the government to allocate funds for Rehabilitation centres in the country.
This follows what he says is a surge in the number of alcohol victims in the country.
Speaking during the graduation of about 50 reformed alcoholics at Jireh Faith-Based Rehabilitation Centre, Wainaina said alcohol drinking has brought so much loss to society.
According to him, rehabilitation centres are being run by individuals in the private sector who are not able to fully explore rehabilitation needs.
“No one can explore rehabilitation needs fully because there are about one million people who are affected by alcohol addiction. If the government does not intervene, there will be no nation in the future,” said Wainaina.
Reformed
Peter Mbugua, one of the reformed alcoholics who spoke at the event narrated how he was rescued.
“I used to drink alcohol, sleep by the roadside and disagree with my family because of alcohol. Since I met Rev Maina Njagi, the proprietor of Jireh faith-based rehabilitation centre, I have reformed” he said.
For Peter Mwangi, another reformist, alcohol and drug abuse cost him his family.
“I had a family and we separated because of drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol has drawn me back financially and socially,” he noted.
However, Peter’s turning point came when he one day drank excessively and upon waking up, found himself at the hospital. Too much alcohol consumption led to him insulting his doctor when he advised him to stop drinking alcohol.
But with a rise in alcohol consumption in the country, a section of religious leaders led by Bishop Elijah Gatene are blaming the police and other security agencies for their reluctance, and for taking bribes from illicit brewers, in exchange for continued operations.
Bishop Gatene has therefore called on the government to curb illicit brewing operations.
The latest data from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) shows that in Kenya, the Nairobi region is leading in the prevalence of current usage of alcohol by 17.5 per cent.
It is followed by the Eastern region at 14.3 per cent and the Western region (at 13.4%).
