Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s wife Dorcas has expressed concern regarding a distressing incident involving a four-month-old baby who is addicted to vodka.
The troubling case was brought to the attention of religious leaders during an inaugural training session held at the Bomas of Kenya, organized by the Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President (OSDP).
Principal Magistrate Jackie Kibosia shared the harrowing account on Tuesday, as religious leaders from various denominations gathered for a training aimed at combating HIV/AIDS, alcohol abuse, and drug misuse in Kenya.
According to Magistrate Kibosia, the infant, only four months old, had become addicted to vodka. The baby’s situation was brought to the magistrate’s attention due to a case of child neglect attributed to the mother.
The mother, reportedly engaged in sex work, disclosed to the court that she resorted to giving her baby vodka in the morning to ensure the child would sleep through the night while she was at work.
Magistrate Kibosia highlighted the heartbreaking circumstance, revealing that by the time the baby was rescued, the addiction had already taken hold, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Pastor Rigathi seized the opportunity to address the mothers of individuals involved in drug-related activities, urging them to implore their children to halt their involvement in the drug trade, which she unequivocally referred to as a deadly occupation.
In an impassioned statement, Pastor Dorcas conveyed, “I am reaching out to every mother; every individual involved in drug trafficking is someone’s child. If we can engage with those who are deeply entrenched in this dangerous path, perhaps we can deter them from endangering the lives of our youth. We are united in our desire to prevent the tragic loss of our children’s lives.”
During the training, which was organized in collaboration with the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), over a thousand religious leaders representing diverse faiths were guided through a comprehensive program.
The training incorporated the expertise of professionals from various institutions including NSDCC, NACADA, NASCOP, the judiciary, police service, and the Kenya Prison Service.
This holistic approach aimed to equip religious leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to address and combat the intertwined challenges of HIV/AIDS, alcohol misuse, and drug abuse within their communities.
