Rigathi Gachagua Reveals His Past Battles With Alcohol Addiction

Kenya Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has offered a candid and deeply personal account of his past struggles with alcohol addiction.

In a public lecture at Murang’a University today, Gachagua admitted to drinking up to 36 beers during weekends in his younger days. He reminisced about his preferred drinking spot, a bar called Citrus near Jamuhuri High School in Ngara estate, Nairobi, where he indulged in what he described as “clean” alcohol, which took longer to intoxicate compared to the potent mixtures consumed today. Gachagua’s reflection took a sombre turn as he recounted the tragic fates of his former drinking companions, many of whom have perished or become mere shells of their former selves, constantly seeking his aid in their pitiful existence.

This revelation follows his earlier disclosure of losing three brothers to alcoholism, each succumbing to the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption despite warnings and interventions. Amidst this bleak backdrop, Gachagua credited his wife Pastor Dorcas Rigathi as the guiding force that led him away from the path of self-destruction. Through her persistent prayers and counsel, he found the strength to escape addiction and avoid a tragic fate that had befallen his brothers and drinking companions. The Deputy President urged university students to steer clear of alcohol, likening it to a plague that could derail their promising futures.

He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that education yields rewarding results, citing the reformed funding model for universities as a step towards alleviating the burden of fees and enabling personal fulfilment through education. Gachagua further encouraged students to embrace a culture of honesty especially when assuming leadership positions. He posited that unfiltered honesty is an essential quality for effective leadership, stating that while the truth may initially seem unpopular, it will ultimately earn respect and be proven right over time.