This archive report was first published on 11 July 2019.
July 11, 2019, marked a turning point in the life of Martin Kamotho, aka 'Githeri Man,' when he was photographed enjoying his 'Githeri' while queuing to vote in 2017. The image opened doors of opportunity for him, with big brands like Safaricom sponsoring him.
However, behind the scenes, Kamotho was struggling with alcoholism. He revealed in an interview that he started drinking in 1989 and had been unable to stop.
President Uhuru Kenyatta intervened, instructing Kiambu Woman Rep Gathoni Wamuchomba to find Kamotho and help him get treatment. He was taken to Mama Care Recovery Centre, where he expressed his gratitude and commitment to change.
'I am very grateful to the President for helping me to deal with alcoholism. I promise not to let him down. I have come here to change. I will go home a changed man. I don’t want to be a slave of alcohol. I want to be a new being and go back to my job,' Kamotho said.
Unfortunately, it appears that Kamotho has relapsed, with new photos showing him dead drunk on a trolley. This is a stark reminder that alcoholism is a serious issue that requires ongoing support and treatment.
