Governor Bii pledges to sustain support to over 1,800 drugs and alcohol addicts rehabilitated in Uasin Gishu

Uasin Gishu will sustain support for over 1,800 addicts who have been rehabilitated in a campaign conducted by the county, Governor Jonathan Bii has said. 

The campaign has been ongoing for two years in a bid to combat alcohol and drug abuse, which remains a major challenge in the region. 

“Our rehabilitation programme is a game changer in the lives of many people in our county because it has helped to restore hope in their lives,” Bii said.

He spoke at the Moiben Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, which he visited after commissioning construction work for the Moiben subcounty hospital.

The latest cohort graduated from the centre after they completed a comprehensive 90-day programme.

The programme is offered free of charge as part of the governor’s Nguzo Kumi (ten-point) development agenda.

Koiya arap Maiyo, director of the county Alcoholic Drinks Control board, said the county was among few others offering completely free, full-board rehabilitation services, including meals, counselling and family therapy.

"The estimated cost of rehabilitating one individual is Sh150,000, but our residents do not pay a shilling and this is a bold and compassionate investment our Governor Jonathan Bii is giving to residents," he said.

The programme, designed with both residential and community-based options, is supported by an extensive grassroots referral network involving ward administrators, subcounty officers and national government agents, where selection is open, based on need and spread across the county.

During the graduation ceremony attended by senior government officials, Dr Florence Jaguga represented the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital while Nacada was represented by Robert Olweny.

This was the fourth cohort to graduate from the facility since its initiation, bringing the total number of rehabilitated individuals to over 1,800.

Dr Paul Wangwe, who is the chief officer for Preventive and Promotive Health, praised the governor for fulfilling his second Nguzo manifesto pledge by establishing the centre and ensuring continuous support.

"Addiction is a disease that affects entire families, and what we are witnessing is the county’s commitment not just to treat, but to transform lives," Wangwe said.

He said the county had a comprehensive plan to expand facilities at its rehabilitation centres.

Olweny, Nacada’s regional manager, noted that Moiben is one of the few centres in the country on track to receive formal accreditation for meeting international treatment standards.

“We’ve inspected and monitored this facility and found it to be a model of excellence. Uasin Gishu is not just talking recovery, but is implementing it,” he said.

To bolster capacity, the county is constructing a new male wing to host 28 clients, with a female wing planned within the 2025/2026 financial year.

Bii also commissioned the Level 4 hospital, as the county's essential drug allocation has been increased from Sh240 million to Sh350 million for all medical facilities, to improve access to quality healthcare.

Beyond addiction treatment, Uasin Gishu’s aftercare system includes WhatsApp-based alumni support groups, routine follow-ups, mentorship and entrepreneurship linkages to ensure reintegration and prevent relapse of those rehabilitated.

"Recovery is a journey, not an event. We follow up even after graduation. We organise meetings, we visit homes and we provide continuous moral support, and that is why our relapse rates remain low," Koiya said.

Graduands from the rehabilitation centre thanked Bii's administration for giving them a life-changing opportunity, calling on him to extend the services to as many people as possible who need the services.