Pastor Dorcas Rigathi on Wednesday, August 30, opened a two-day medical camp targeting those addicted to alcohol, drugs, and other substances at Shimanzi, Mombasa County.
Tents were pitched at the Railway's Dispensary located a few metres to the drug dens, and those with addictions walked to the location for treatment.
This event followed her May 15, 2023 visit to the drug dens of Shimanzi where she interacted with those in addictions in the places they reside, and promised to bring programs to uplift their lives.
Pastor Dorcas noted that it was the responsibility of all in society to reflect on the future they desire, and make the right choices that would ultimately result in society having ‘a strong boy and strong girl’.
“Most of our families and almost every one of us is affected. The majority are crying silently. It is time to call out this crisis of addictions for what it is. We can no longer, as a nation, afford to sit pretty and assume someone somewhere will come and save us.
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“We must make a choice and save ourselves. In Kenya, 75% of our population is below the age of 35 years. We have a young and youthful population. If we critically reflect on our future, you will see why we have a choice to make,” Pastor Dorcas stated.
The spouse of the Deputy President also pointed to the success of the boy child program, under her office this far that included: the rehabilitation of 65 men at a rehabilitation in Meru County, 82 others at the Nairobi County inpatient wellness centre, 50 men at a rehabilitation centre in Limuru and tens of others growing a 500,000 tree nursery in Mathira Constituency.
Area MCA Priscilla Mumba said the medical camp was a lesson that no human being was greater than another. “I have seen you (Pastor Dorcas) hugging and loving the people in the streets, while most people choose to stay away from them. With love everyone can come back to a great state in their health physically and mentally, and lead a productive life.”
Kenjaro Village Elder Faraj Atani received Pastor Dorcas and shared some of the empowerment needs of the people in the area. The need for boats to do fishing was one of the issues.
DCC Ronald Mwiwawi pointed out the lack of identification documents among those living in the streets, which were paramount for one to secure a job post-rehabilitation.
“Since Pastor Dorcas visited Shimanzi in May, we registered 352 persons, and found that 272 do not have identity cards. The documents are critical in the process of getting employment,” said DCC Mwiwawi.
Bishop Joseph Maisha called on the religious organisations to join in the agenda of rescuing the boy child, and also urged public and private partners to join in the great cause.
The National Chairman of the Association of Pentecostal and Evangelical Clergy of Kenya (APECK) and Director NACADA, Rev Fredrick Ngugi urged Kenyans to embrace those addicted to drugs and substances.
"We have seen they are transforming and leading drug free lives with love and care. Unfortunately, some parents encourage children to engage in consumption of alcohol and drugs as they consume them in the presence of their children," said Director Ngugi.
