This archive report was first published on 22 April 2020.
Kenya's dusk-to-dawn curfew, imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus, has left many people wondering how to cope with the stress of the pandemic. For some, the answer lies in their favourite drinks.
According to police records, at least 300 people are arrested every week in Nairobi for flouting the curfew and social-distancing rules while out drinking. While many law-abiding Kenyans dismiss these individuals as reckless, psychologists say they are not surprised by this behaviour.
Ms Sylvia Okwaro, a clinical psychologist, explains that stress is a major factor in this kind of irresponsible behaviour. Many Kenyans are going through a stressful period, characterised by loss of income, which makes it difficult for them to buy food for their families and pay rent.
“This may prompt them to engage in maladaptive behaviour to cope with this stress, such as going to a bar to drink, the aim to numb their fears,” says Ms Okwaro.
She adds that people are also struggling with the psychological impact of the pandemic, which has left many with too much time on their hands and no idea what to do with it.
Mr John Gachoka, a counselling psychologist, says addiction is also a major contributor to this behaviour. “Addiction is a disease. They can’t help themselves, if they don’t drink, some of them will die,” he says.
He adds that abuse of alcohol is likely to be high for those in unhappy marriages, and that parents who drink at home are recruiting their children into the habit.
But it need not come to this, he says. “The only solution is to face your problems. This is the time to mend your relationship with your children and wife if it is in disarray. There is no perfect person or family, and when you separate the addiction from the person, what you are left with is a good person. Let’s start from here,” he advises.
