Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has opened up about the devastating toll alcoholism has taken on his family, revealing the tragic loss of his siblings to addiction.
In an interview on Inooro TV Sunday night, Gachagua disclosed that he hails from a family of nine siblings; four brothers and five sisters, all of whom were impacted by alcoholism.
“When you see me committed to battling this culture of death that is substance abuse, it is because it has made my own family weep. All homesteads have scars of alcoholism and mine is not exceptional,” Gachagua solemnly stated.
He recounted the heartbreaking stories of his brothers, illustrating the destructive power of alcohol addiction. One brother, Dr. Wachira Gachagua, succumbed to alcoholism while practicing medicine in South Africa despite warnings from his wife. Another brother, Nderitu Gachagua, fell victim to pancreatic cancer, a consequence of his alcohol abuse.
Gachagua shared the struggle he faced in trying to intervene and support his alcoholic brother, Reriani Gachagua, including attempts at rehabilitation and providing financial assistance. Despite his efforts, Reriani succumbed to the grip of addiction.
The loss of his siblings has left Gachagua feeling isolated in his father’s compound, surrounded by graves marked by alcohol-related tragedies. Reflecting on his own past, Gachagua acknowledged that he too battled with alcohol consumption until his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, intervened.
“Had I not heeded her, chances are that I would also be dead and not be the current Deputy President,” Gachagua admitted, underscoring the critical role his wife played in steering him away from the path of self-destruction.
Through his personal experiences, Gachagua emphasizes the urgent need to address the pervasive issue of alcoholism, recognizing its devastating impact on families and communities across Kenya.
