Pastor Dorcas Rigathi recommends every ward in Kenya to have one hospital for rehabilitation and recovery of people addicted to alcohol, drugs and other substances.
She said this after attending a church service at the Abundant New Life Church in Nyeri together with 62 of the men who graduated under the boy child program in her office having undergone rehabilitation in Timau, Meru County.
“I came here with 62 of our graduates so they can also see what I do as a Pastor in my daily life,” she said.
“We are working to see those who dropped out of school and university go back, skilling others and also connecting them to jobs. They can pick up their lives where they left off,” she added.
The 62 electrified the Sunday service as they led the congregation in praise and worship.
The abuse of alcohol and drugs cuts across the nation affecting thousands irrespective of their economic status, social status or religion.
Pastor Dorcas challenged the congregation and Kenyans to help those in addictions and living in the streets, saying that their transformation was evidently possible.
“The children you see outside, and it does not bother you that someone is out there without a meal and living on the streets, let us change our ways and help one,” said Pastor Dorcas.
She acknowledged the partners who were working together with her office to reach thousands in addictions.
The church Bishop, Paul Wanjohi, recognized the success of the boy child program noting the sobriety of the men who were in his church.
The men were asked to choose what to engage in post-rehabilitation. Some are going back to university, and high school, having dropped out following addictions.
Others asked Pastor Dorcas to connect them to driving courses, welding opportunities, masonry, computer and IT courses and opportunities among others.
This cohort was flagged off for rehabilitation on May 8, 2023 at a church event in Mathira Constituency, and transported to a rehabilitation and recovery centre in Timau, Meru County.
They graduated in a ceremony at the official residence of the Deputy President in Nairobi on September 8, 2023. They are now undergoing skilling at the Ngorano vocational training among other initiatives.
The group’s spokesperson of the group, Godfrey Mwago acknowledged the selfless work of the spouse of the Deputy President in seeing their life transformed.
Some of them were for years addicted to alcohol, cigarette and bhang smoking. Others lived away from their families, separated with their wives, dropped out of school, lost jobs as teachers, and officers in different institutions following addictions to substances.
