This archive report was first published on 14 July 2019.
Published on July 14, 2019, a thought-provoking article shed light on the phenomenon of functional drunkards in Kenya. These individuals, often from the working and middle class, have developed a culture of excessive drinking, hiding behind a veil of respectability.
Functional drunkards are characterized by their ability to maintain a semblance of normalcy, even as they engage in excessive drinking. They often use credit facilities in pubs and joints, accumulating debts that they pay off when they have money. This behavior is masked by their claims of loyalty to certain establishments, when in reality, it is the credit facility that keeps them coming back.
Another telltale sign of functional drunkards is their disregard for the conventional rules of drinking. They drink anywhere, anytime, and see every event as an opportunity to consume alcohol. Funerals, in particular, are a favorite among these individuals, who use the occasion to offer libations to themselves.
Other symptoms of being a functional drunkard include dented and bumped cars, frequent use of excuses like 'I don't know how I got home,' and temporary memory losses. They also struggle with rising to the occasion, sleeping on the job, and assuming they are not as bad as village drunks.
The surest way to identify a functional drunkard is to eavesdrop on what children, househelp, and watchmen say. If they describe you as a drunkard, it's time to confront the reality of your behavior.
Functional drunkards are a hidden epidemic in Kenya, and it's time to acknowledge the problem. Until they face the consequences of their actions, they will continue to underperform in work, relationships, and life in general.
