Pastor Dorcas visits Mama Ngina rehabilitation centre in Kiambaa

The Spouse to the Deputy President Pastor Dorcas Rigathi on Friday visited former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta's rehabilitation centre.

The Alcohol Recovery Centre in Wangunyu, Kiambaa Constituency hosted Martin Kamotho famously known as Githeri Man who was captured eating Githeri from a polythene bag during the 2017 elections.

The facility, labeled the NGAAF Multipurpose Centre, was officially commissioned on July 31, 2017, by Mama Ngina Kenyatta.

The centre was initiated by Mama Ngina's niece and President Uhuru Kenyatta's cousin, Anna Nyokabi Gatheca in 2017 when she served as the first Kiambu Woman Representative.

She was taken on tour of the centre by the in-charge Christine Waitherero.

Pastor Dorcas toured the facility after attending the Kiambaa medical camp at the Karuri High School Grounds where hundreds were screened in readiness for rehabilitation.

At the medical camp, Pastor Dorcas encouraged the youth to change their ways and stop taking illicit brews.

"After this medical camp, those who need to go for rehabilitation will go, voluntarily. We have a rehabilitated cohort in Nyandarua undergoing skilling and we shall connect them to jobs. You must change, because, even if I show you love in your state of addiction, who will accept to give you employment in this state," she said.

She decried the high numbers of men behind prison walls and hospital wards following road accidents caused by drunk-driving including by boda boda riders.

Pastor Dorcas said the problem of alcohol and drug use was systemic affecting families, the economy and the social life of the people.

"This is a very big problem in our nation. Our future is under serious threat. The people selling this poison to you, do they give their children?," she posed.

"You work the whole day and those brewing illicit brews and hard drugs are waiting for your money, instead of taking the money to your family, you enrich them, and then you die. This must stop," she added.

Kiambu Deputy Governor Rosemary Kirika advised the youth to agree to undergo rehabilitation.

"Even as we wait for the government to give us jobs, we must be healed, strong, go to TVETs, and even start exploiting our talents and abilities for a productive life through business or other entrepreneurship activities," she said.

Pastor Dorcas encouraged churches to open their places of worship and reach out to those living on the streets and in addictions for their rehabilitation.

She was accompanied by Kiambu Woman Rep Anne Wamuratha, renowned Bishop Dr Margaret Wangari (WaBanana) and Evangelist Lucy Wangunjiri.