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The seven, from different parts of the Rift Valley part of Kenya, underwent inpatient rehabilitation at the Koiwa Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre in Bomet County, a collaboration with the County Government of Bomet.

All the seven were interdicted from the police service following absconding duty following their drunkenness state, and also misbehaviour among other non-ethical behaviour in the line of service.

Patrick Kiprono, GSU, Recce Company, VIP Protection, recalled his painful exit from the service following addiction to alcohol.

“I was dismissed from the service for being drunk. I used to drink a lot,” said Kiprono. He, however, said that since joining the rehabilitation program, his life had changed, and he had come back to his senses.

“I joined this rehabilitation, and I am ready to serve my country again,” said Kiprono during an interview at the Koiwa Rehabilitation Centre.

Benard Kirui, Administration Police, also joined the service in 1999, and had served in many stations until February 2014 when he was dismissed because of absconding duty for 68 days following continued consumption of alcohol.

“I started with leisurely experimenting with alcohol, but eventually, my life became worse due to overindulgence with alcohol, and I was separated from my family 10 years ago, and I also had many problems in my life,” said Kirui.

Kirui said that he got knowledge about the rehabilitation program from a local Bishop, who urged him to undergo the process and change his life.

Pastor Dorcas works closely with clergy from across faiths, Muslim, Christian, and Hindu, especially in mobilizing those in addiction to seek help.

“Alcohol was bad for my health. I lost a lot of weight, but today, I am healthy and have regained my strength as a man, and would appreciate going back to my work as a dutiful officer, and execute my duties as per the law and in any part of the country. I also look forward to reuniting with my family,” said Kirui. He also encouraged officers in the service, and consuming alcohol, that they too could beat addiction.

AP Officer, Patrick Kosgei, 39 years, recalled amidst tears the life he led as an alcoholic, sleeping along the road, losing his family, destroying good relationships, and losing his work in the service.

“I became an officer in 2008, and served in Moyale, Taita Taveta, Isiolo and other stations. However, I failed to attend Madaraka Day rehearsal parade because I was too drunk, and because of this and other forms of misconduct, lost my job,” said Kosgei.

Mr Kosgei started consuming alcohol in 2010, when he was 25 years old, in moderation, but increased his intake in 2011, and confesses to having friends who would buy for him the drink whenever he did not have money.

However, this lifestyle led him to a life of destruction and indignity and would sleep along the road, separated with his wife and child, had a bad relationship with people, and also his seniors at the workplace, and eventually losing his job.

“I had tried stopping to take alcohol many times, unsuccessfully, but since I came here in Koiwa, I can see a big change. My thirst for alcohol has died, I am grateful for this program. I came here with 42Kgs in weight, and I am now 65Kgs. I am energetic enough, and still young to serve this nation,” he added.

Kosgei hoped that post-rehabilitation, he could be reunited with his family, and also seek forgiveness from those whom he wronged when he lived in drunkenness. He added that he would be an ambassador against alcoholism.

“Alcohol, had made me hopeless. I am deeply grateful to Pastor Dorcas for bringing hope in my life again. May she continue helping many others,” he added.

Hillary Cheruiyot, KDF, served in the Kenya Defence Forces, but also lost his job due to alcoholism.

“I was discharged from the service due to alcoholism. I am now reformed and ready to serve this sovereign nation,” said Cheruiyot.

Another officer was Shadrack Kipyegon, Kenya Police, who confessed that the psychosocial spiritual model used in rehabilitation had strengthened him mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

“I have reformed and ready to work with a lot of loyalty to the government of Kenya, and now as a saved police officer, and to be known as a police officer who has changed and serve with dedication. I will be an ambassador for many others to change,” said Kipyegon.

She appreciated the dedication of Pastor Dorcas in seeing their lives changed, even visiting them. “This program has changed our lives, and we shall continue praying for her, to change the lives of many others,” said Kipyegon.

Samwel Kipkorir, GSU, who joined the service in 1990 was also dismissed in 2011 following medical grounds brought about by alcoholism. He was also appealing for reinstatement to the GSU after undergoing rehabilitation, and transformation to an alcohol-free life.

The program also included a retired police officer who was also an alcoholic. Edison Koskei, said that he retired from the police service, in 2016 but came for rehabilitation to change his life.

“I urge those police officers consuming alcohol, to keep away from alcohol, and focus on their work,” said Kiprono, Kenya Police Retired.

Felix Langat, Psychiatric Nurse, at the Koiwa Rehabilitation Centre said that the 107 clients admitted were doing well, and also narrated the journey of their rehabilitation.

“The first three weeks had a lot of withdrawal symptoms that included inability to sleep, hallucinations, tremors, and other challenges, but we managed them medically and were able to stabilize them. In the first days, we were even feeding them, but there is visible progress over the months. Among the 107, we only have six we realized had psychiatric illnesses that were masked by alcohol, and these ones continue with treatment,” said Langat.

He added that some of the clients had family and relationship issues resulting to addictions, but through family therapy, they had helped in maneuvering such challenges.

All the rehabilitated officers seek reinstatement back to the service, pledging becoming ambassadors against alcoholism in the disciplined force.