How Alcoholism Led to Imprisonment and Deportation of a Kenyan Student in Australia

Evans Kurgat, a Kenyan national from Chesumei in Nandi County, left Kenya for Australia in pursuit of higher education.

Kurgat studied journalism and media studies at Eldoret College of Professional Studies. In Australia, Kurgat remained firm in his pursuit of higher education, juggling his studies with employment to support himself financially. His parent’s support proved valuable during his stay in Australia. However, his initial accommodation in Adelaide presented a significant burden as he grappled with exorbitant rent payments and the constant threat of eviction, forcing him to seek alternative living arrangements with fellow Kenyans. Determined to enhance his skillset, Kurgat enrolled in an aged care course to equip himself with the necessary knowledge to care for the elderly.

Employment opportunities were sporadic, requiring him to be on call at unpredictable times and navigate the city’s public transportation system. Despite the challenges, he eventually found solace among compassionate Kenyans in Templeton. However, he soon faced difficulties arising from the excessive partying within the household. Kurgat describes battling alcoholism and the subsequent loss of employment. He openly recounts a physical altercation with a woman at a party that led to police intervention, an experience that taught him the grave consequences of such actions and the importance of respecting personal boundaries in Australian society.

Kurgat was handcuffed and arrested by authorities. While detained at the Modbury Police Station, he realised the web of data-sharing between law enforcement and immigration authorities. According to Kurgat, his ordeal reached its zenith when he was accused of assaulting the woman leading to his incarceration at the Adelaide Remand Center. Despite the eventual dismissal of the charges and his release, the shade of deportation loomed large. Fearing the prospect of being forcibly returned to Kenya, Kurgat contemplated falsely claiming membership in the LGBTQ community to evade deportation.

However, he ultimately abandoned this decision due to evidentiary constraints. He reveals that he had to wait 2 months to be processed for deportation. Upon arrival in Kenya, he was handcuffed but eventually released by sympathetic police officers. Kurgat says that in Australia he held a desire to achieve financial independence, support his family, and potentially explore future opportunities. Kurgat now takes to social media to share his story, hoping to educate and enlighten other Kenyans who may face similar challenges.