Former Second Lady Rev. Dorcas Rigathi has raised concerns about the growing crisis of alcohol and substance abuse among Kenyan boys. Speaking in the United States, Rigathi warned that the situation is devastating families and claiming lives. She described a surge in substance abuse, suicide, road accidents, and crime, painting a grim picture of the situation in Kenya. According to Rigathi, the crisis is having a broader social impact, affecting not only the individuals involved but also their families and communities.
Rigathi revealed that by the end of her tenure, half of university students in Kenya were struggling with alcohol or drug dependence. She also disclosed that at least ten university students were dying by suicide each day. The former Second Lady claimed that 90 percent of those affected are boys, leaving families bereft as parents who send children to university receive bodies instead of graduates. This has resulted in a significant number of families being left without breadwinners.
Central Kenya has been singled out as one of the regions worst affected by the crisis. Rigathi stated that religious leaders in the area are overwhelmed by the number of young men dying from alcohol-related complications. Some pastors are reportedly conducting burials each week for victims who died after drinking without eating. This has put a strain on local communities and has highlighted the need for urgent action to address the crisis.
The substance-abuse problem has also been linked to road safety by Rigathi. She alleged that some matatu and boda-boda operators drive while intoxicated, endangering passengers and other road users. This has resulted in numerous accidents, with hospitals treating victims of motorcycle accidents, many of whom sustain permanent disabilities. The situation has raised concerns about the safety of road users in Kenya.
According to Rigathi, the crisis fuels crime and gender-based violence. She noted that men constitute 90 percent of Kenya's prison population, leaving widows and children without breadwinners. The former Second Lady recalled that her office had assisted more than 2,000 people who lost sight or limbs after consuming illicit alcohol by providing assistive devices. This has highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the crisis.
Rigathi called on Kenyan women living abroad to engage their sons and husbands in awareness campaigns and to support efforts that protect both the girl and boy child. She stressed the importance of addressing the crisis and its broader social impact. The former Second Lady urged diaspora women to play a key role in raising awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and in supporting efforts to curb the trend.
The warning by Rigathi comes at a time when Kenya is grappling with the challenges of substance abuse. The crisis has had a devastating impact on families and communities, and there is a growing need for urgent action to address the situation. Key efforts are needed to raise awareness, provide support to those affected, and address the root causes of the crisis.
Key points
- 90 percent of those affected by substance abuse in Kenya are boys.
- At least ten university students are dying by suicide each day in Kenya.
- The crisis has fueled crime and gender-based violence in Kenya.
