Lifestyle
KENYAN CELEBRITIES WHO HAVE STRUGGLED WITH ALCOHOL ADDICTION
Without a doubt, fame is like a two-sided coin and each side has its implications. Among them is the celebrity lifestyle and many are usually not prepared for it and end up messing themselves. Alcohol addiction is one common characteristic that seems to cut across the board, whether female or male. Below is a list of Kenyan celebrities who have battled with alcoholism.
Nana Gecaga
In July 2020, Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) CEO Nana Gecaga celebrated 21 years of recovering from being an alcoholic. Through a post made on her Instagram page, she noted that the decision to quit drinking was one of the most important milestones in her life.
“21 years ago today I made the biggest decision in my life which was to stop drinking. I just want to thank everyone who has been on this journey with me 21 years ago till today. Thank you for your support, encouragement and love,” she wrote. In a past interview, Nana said she started taking alcohol to forget things she was going through and feel numb.
George Maina Njoroge aka Comedian Njoro
Some time in 2020, the Churchill show comedian made headlines after revealing that he was battling depression and alcoholism. Fortunately, Kenyans offered help and the comedian agreed to go to a rehabilitation center where he spent close to three months. “I’m back now. I thank God. It was a tough journey but we made it. Thank you so much for your support, love and encouragement. I wish I could meet all of you,” he wrote.
Jacquey Nyaminde aka Wilbroda
The actress turned radio presenter narrated her battle with alcohol addiction. She noted that she had tried quitting a number of time but was unable to do so. However, after some time, she went on a detox journey and successfully overcame her addiction.
“This year has been special to me in many ways. I finally got the courage to stop excuses and just do it. I finally quit drinking. I never knew I’d be able to until I tried. And I did it! I went to the gym and lost some weight. I was concerned for my health, so i did it,” Wilbroda wrote while marking her birthday in 2017.
Kabi Wajesus
Digital content creator Peter Kabi, alias Kabi Wajesus revealed that he was a heavy drinker and also smoked cigarettes and bhang all together. He said he was exposed to all manner of drugs at a young age while living in Kayole. The singer stopped abusing drugs in 2013. “Before 2013, I was not born again. I was a drunkard to the point that I was diagnosed with TB and I was told to quit drinking and smoking,” he said.
Alex Mwakideu
In October 2020, the radio presenter celebrated one year since quitting alcohol in memory of his late mother. Before quitting alcoholism, Mwakideu had been drinking for 14 years. “She used to tell me every day, she didn’t like the vibe. She always told me to stop drinking, it won’t help me in any way. So, when she passed on this year, I told myself I will never drink again. I told myself I won’t cross into 2020 drinking,” said Mwakideu.
James Wathigo Mburu aka Jimwat
The musician popularly known for his song ‘Under 18’ has also in the past opened up on his struggles with alcoholism. After years of keeping her alcohol addiction a secret, the musician finally came out narrating how almost ruined his life.
“The thing is, I used to spend a lot of cash in the bar compared to my monthly rent. Also, I used to spend more time in the bar than at my place. At times, I never even used to go home, since I would sleep on the bar counter. It was that bad,” said Jimwat.
Dennis Kaggia aka DNA
After the fame and money that came along with his hit song ‘Banjuka’, DNA got into alcohols abuse that almost ruined his career. Speaking during an interview in 2016, the musician said his drinking mainly influenced by peer pressure and bad friends.
“You cannot choose to stop when you are an addict, you have to ask for help or end up dead. I would get sober then go back to drinking, I would drink without eating for even for a week without eating and I lost a lost of weight,” said DNA.
Tom Mboya
The journalist and media practitioner has been sharing his experience with alcohol addiction and how he managed to quit drinking. “Alcohol was gonna kill me but pancreatitis came and saved me. I talk about it as a way of me giving back in my own special ways. I have been sober for 10 years and why I talk about my past addiction is that I want to encourage someone who thinks they have hit a dead end,” he said.
Tina Kaggia
Speaking in a past interview, the media personality who is also musician DNA’s sister opened up on her battle with alcohol addiction. She said that the first time she drunk alcohol was when she was in Form 5 after a friend gave her alcohol and promised her on how ‘high’ she would get after drinking it.
“I was so disappointed but little did I know, that was a sign of a problem. Little did I know that I had awoken a sleeping giant because in our family on our paternal side, we are genetically predisposed to alcoholism. Beers did not work for me. I needed harder drinks to get high. I missed getting raped or dying several times while in this foreign country. I believe it is the prayers of my parents that kept me,” she recalled. However, together with her dad, she looked for a treatment facility where she spent three months in rehab, where she also did a diploma course in addiction counselling.
Frasha
The award-winning rapper also known as Francis Amisi stopped drinking in 2018 after participating in the ’90 days without alcohol’ challenge, after being challenged by his brother. The singer also expressed he regrets wasting 15 years indulging in alcoholism.
“After doing the 40 days sobriety challenge for several years, I have realised the importance of quitting alcohol completely. As you mature up, you start realising that there are things you are doing that are no longer important, which are wasting your time, money and even they make you lose focus,” sad Frasha.
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