Kenya’s former boxing champion, Conjestina Achieng, is responding well to treatment following her admission to a rehabilitation centre, NACADA chief executive officer, Victor Okioma has said.
The pugilist has been bed-ridden at Mediva Wellness Centre, a rehabilitation facility in Thika, where she was taken early last month by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) who came to her rescue after her plight was highlighted on social media.
“After consulting with her family, we picked her up from her home in Yala and drove her to Thika to start her rehabilitation programme. She was accompanied by her sister and son Charlton Otieno,” said Okioma.
Okioma said although the authority doesn’t have a budget line for treatment of persons with drug use disorders, it was obliged to join the rest of Kenyans who were responding to the call to the plight of the former boxing champion. “Accordingly, the Authority committed to settle the cost of one month’s rehabilitation for the athlete.”
Okioma underscored the need to ensure that Conjestina was taken through the rehabilitation process in good time to avoid further deterioration of the athlete’s health.
He noted Conjestina had previously been admitted to another rehabilitation facility with the support of the Governor of Nairobi County and her current condition was due to a relapse.
The CEO called on County Governments to invest in public rehabilitation facilities to enhance access to affordable rehabilitation services as most of the existing rehabilitation centres are private and commercial and therefore inaccessible to majority of needy Kenyans.
He thanked Sports journalist Carol Radull for highlighting the boxer's plight through social media and initiating a funds drive in conjunction with Conjestina’s son Charlton and her mother Getrude Adala, to raise funds to enable settle the rest of her treatment costs and livelihood support after treatment.
“We call on other Kenyans of goodwill and partners to support this initiative so that this icon of female boxing in Kenya receives the much needed treatment and support so that she can get back on her feet.”
“As a role model to many and upcoming boxers Conjestina’s good health is important so that she can continue mentoring young boxers,” added Okioma.
