He is popularly known as afande by his old mates. It is not a name he was given from nowhere. 11 years ago, Dennis Mugendi was a trained Prison Officer, working in Kakamega Prison unit. He however didn’t last long in the service. Alcohol addiction, among other factors made him quit his job before he could even properly begin. When did his drinking begin?
In 2001 when Dennis was in Form 2, he didn’t know how much impact a glass of chang’aa would affect his life. He was a scout with freedom to attend various events outside school. This gave him the chance to indulge in alcoholism with his friends. There are times he even sneaked liquor in school. But he was too careful and eventually finished school without being caught.
“I started a CPA course in Meru Technical, while waiting for my KCSE results. My life was of drinking and parting since there was even more freedom than before.”
Denis would frequently lie to his mum to get money for alcohol. From occasional drinking, he advanced to daily drinking which affected his class performance as he was unable to concentrate.
His mum who was beginning to get worried about his behaviour consulted a nun who talked to him just before he joined Campus.
UON(University of Nairobi)
Life at UON is what Dennis referred to as the ‘peak’ of his drug and alcohol habits.
“In first year I switched to weed and used alcohol in rare cases. I was a regular client till one of my suppliers asked me to help him sell. I began selling weed and was earning on a commission of 2 joints for each sale of 5.”
Business was booming and Dennis ignored his studies. Out of frustrations and inability to complete studies, he dropped out of school. During this period, his weed selling competitors and the police were after him. He ran away from Nairobi and went back home where he says life didn’t get any better.
“I worked in a bar, drank more daily using the money I was being paid. Sometimes I even took things from home to go and sell, just to get more money for alcohol.”
Dennis mum, still not losing hopes in her son recommended he joins the Police service. Unfortunately this job too didn’t last as he absconded work after being officially employed.
Rehab Treatment
In April 2015, Dennis was admitted to Asumbi Treatment Center after his sister insisted he needed help.
After 4 months treatment, he was convinced that he was okay and will forever stay sober. This narrative however changed when he relapsed after visiting a bar with the aim of making amends with the people he owed.
In October 2016 he went for aftercare and started a course in Addiction Counseling. He was later absorbed as counselor in Jorgs Rehab Centre.
“One of my drinking triggers was me as a person. I always believed I could control my drinking after 1 or 2 bottles. And that’s where I got it all wrong. Once I begun, it became almost impossible to stop.”
Last words
“I wish I could be told that I cannot control my drinking right from treatment.
I’d advise those in addiction to surrender and accept and stop fighting everyone. Get tired of being sick.
Recovery is a lifetime journey for me. If I’m sober today, that’s enough.”