Drunk assistant chief who dismissed President Uhuru Kenyatta's directive on illicit brew Leaves Mathari Hospital

Joseph Wycliffe Rotich of Mawingu sub-location, Molo, Nakuru County (l) and Geoffrey Kieni Gachoka of Lapesi sublocation, Nyandarua north subcounty.They were discharged yesterday after completing 52 days of rehabilitation at Mathari Mental Hospital. (PHOTO: BRIGID CHEMWENO/ STANDARD)

Two months ago, when the government embarked on the fight against illicit brew, one image that captured the attention of Kenyans was that one of a totally drunk assistant chief in Nakuru county.

The assistant chief, Joseph Wycliffe Rotich of Mawingu sub-location, Molo, Nakuru County got drunk while on duty.
The administrator was caught on camera drunk while clad in uniform during President Uhuru Kenyatta's visit to the region. He then went ahead to dismiss President Uhuru's directive on illicit brew ban.

In a video in social media, Mr Rotich dismissed President Uhuru's directive saying 'lazima nikunywe' (I must take alcohol).

Consequently, Rift Valley regional coordinator Mr Wanyama Musiambo ordered his sacking saying the assistant Chief was undermining government's efforts in fight against illicit brews

He said he would be charged in court with abetting sale of illicit brews.
Rotich, who was sacked for his deeds, found a temporary home in Mathari Mental Hospital where he underwent rehabilitation courtesy of NACADA chairman John Muthutho.

But today he is a changed and reformed man.

When The Standard yesterday caught up with Mr Rotich and his counterpart, Lapesi assistant chief (Nyandarua north subcounty) Geoffrey Kieni Gachoka, they were in high spirits after completing 52 days rehabilitation in the Mathari Mental Hospital.

The two were admitted with a longstanding history of alcohol abuse. Doctors' reports indicated that they received detoxification and rehabilitation treatment.
"They had also received a naltrexone implant and were in stable condition. They have insight and are motivated to stay sober," indicated the report.

For Rotich, who had battled with alcohol addiction for more than twenty years, performing his administrative duties said it was a big task to change.

He said: "I have been taking alcohol for more than two decades and I could not engage in meaningful activities. After going through rehabilitation at Mathari hospital, I am now ready to join my family and the community. I call upon alcohol addicts to go to rehabilitation centres or go to church."

However, Mr Gachoka, 60, who admitted that he was an alcoholic for more than twenty five years, said he was ready to embark on a campaign in his village to eradicate the vice. He blamed it on peer pressure adding that his family suffered emotionally through his drunken behavior. He said he had reformed and will support his family and engage in development activities.
"My addiction affected my family since I used to spend all my salary on alcohol. I am now a reformed person and I will call meetings with members of the community to sensitize them on alcohol addiction and its effects," Gachoka said when at Mathari hospital as he made arrangements to travel back home.
Mathari Hospital Medical Superitendent Julius Ogato said they put the patients in the wards where they conducted detoxification and put them on a programme of rehabilitation.

Mr Muthutho said instead of condemning alcohol addicts, they should be offered treatment.
"The story of chief being sacked because he is drunk is not wise unless he has other disciplinary matters. They should be treated and go back to work," said Muthutho.

He added that the fight against drug addiction is becoming complicated when the people are not treated properly.
In a mental health policy released early this week, Kenya is among the 28 per cent of WHO member states that do not have a separate budget for mental health.