馃嚢馃嚜KenyaEast Africa
Godfrey Ochola's 23-year battle with alcoholism began with altar wine
via Tuko3 min read
Godfrey Otieno Ochola's struggle with alcoholism spanned 23 years, originating from his teenage curiosity with altar wine at his father's vicarage. While in high school, he would secretly consume the wine, which he noted increased his confidence. After high school, his first earnings from a job at the National Council of Churches of Kenya in 1997 led him to commercial beer, escalating his addiction. Alcoholism cost him a scholarship to study law in India and resulted in his expulsion from Kisumu Polytechnic. He later lost a job at Southern Credit Bank Corporation due to his addiction. Ochola eventually sought help from the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and was admitted to a rehabilitation center. After recovery, he now works as a recovery coach in Nakuru, assisting others in overcoming addiction. Data from NACADA indicates that 4.7 million Kenyans use at least one drug, with alcohol being prominent. Robert Olweny, the Nakuru NACADA boss, highlighted that a 2022 study showed the initiation age for drug and alcohol use among young people is between 6 and 9 years, a concerning trend.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Tuko.
Must ReadFormer deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has criticized the military-led closure of several Ugandan media outlets, including NTV Uganda, Spark TV, Daily Monitor, KFM, and Dembe FM. These outlets, many belonging to Kenya-based Nation Media Group, were forced off air after security personnel surrounded their premises in Kampala. Gachagua condemned General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces and President Museveni's son, for ordering the shutdown, calling it an assault on press freedom. Gachagua further alleged that Kenya's President William Ruto is responsible due to his close relationship with the Ugandan military chief, stating, "He Museveni is a close confidant of William Ruto, and by association, Ruto is part and parcel of this shutdown." He did not provide evidence for this claim. Gachagua also warned of a growing threat to press freedom across East Africa, urging journalists and media organizations to remain steadfast. The shutdown has drawn widespread condemnation from international press freedom organizations.
Busia leaders, including Governor Paul Otuoma and Senator Okiya Omtatah, have mourned the death of Laura Wesonga, a Kenya Medical Training College KMTC student who was shot dead in Marachi Estate during a confrontation between police and a criminal gang. Wesonga was reportedly returning from the gym when the incident occurred. Governor Otuoma expressed sadness over the tragic death and emphasized that law enforcement operations must prioritize the safety of innocent civilians. Senator Omtatah stated that justice must be served and called for professional, intelligence-led policing. Both leaders urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority IPOA to conduct an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the incident, demanding accountability for any officer found to have acted unlawfully. Senator Omtatah also called for a de-escalation of political tensions in Busia, condemning the use of intimidation tactics against political rivals.
Conservation leaders emphasize that the effective safeguarding of marine ecosystems relies on the active participation of coastal communities and civil society. This call follows the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, which secured over 320 commitments and approximately $6.4 billion for marine action. Nancy Ogonje, executive director of the East African Wild Life Society, highlighted the disconnect between international policy discussions and the realities of vulnerable coastal populations. She stressed that for the Mombasa Declaration, aimed at curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, to be successful, implementation must prioritize localized institutional support. Ogonje stated that lasting environmental stewardship occurs when communities whose livelihoods depend on the ocean are empowered to protect it. She also noted that local communities possess invaluable traditional knowledge and need legal knowledge to navigate environmental regulatory frameworks. The experts argue that only with active, well-funded, and legally recognized local partners can marine preservation efforts truly succeed.