What began as a desperate struggle with alcohol has transformed into a decade-long journey of hope, healing and service after recovering addict Charen Patrick Kinuthia celebrated 10 years of sobriety and unveiled a campaign to support vulnerable addicts seeking rehabilitation.
The emotional celebration, attended by family members, church leaders, legal professionals, recovering addicts and community members, became more than a personal milestone. It evolved into a powerful appeal for society to embrace addiction recovery with compassion while mobilising resources to help those unable to afford rehabilitation.
Speaking during the celebration, Kinuthia reflected on his painful past and thanked God, his family, mentors and rehabilitation professionals for standing by him when many had lost hope.
He said reaching a decade without alcohol was proof that recovery is possible regardless of how deeply someone has fallen into addiction.
Kinuthia noted that sobriety is not the end of the journey but the beginning of lifelong recovery, urging those battling alcoholism and substance abuse never to give up despite repeated setbacks.
“Recovery is a daily commitment. Even after ten years, I remain a recovering addict. Every day is a choice to stay sober and help another person find hope,” he said.
Determined to ensure others receive the same opportunity that changed his life, Kinuthia announced a financial support initiative aimed at raising funds for addicts who cannot afford rehabilitation programmes.
The initiative will use KCB Paybill Business Number 522533, Account Number 8110763, under the name Patrick Kinuthia, to mobilise contributions from well-wishers to sponsor rehabilitation and recovery services for struggling addicts.
He appealed to Kenyans to contribute whatever they can, saying even small donations can restore lives and reunite families devastated by addiction.
Delivering a moving testimony, Bishop John Simon Mwangi recounted meeting Kinuthia in 2014 when he was battling severe alcoholism and had almost given up on life.
The bishop recalled that Kinuthia first sought help after being referred to him by friends. Initially, he attended counselling sessions faithfully before later disappearing for several months after being admitted to rehabilitation.
When Kinuthia returned after completing treatment, Bishop Mwangi said he was a transformed man whose renewed determination inspired everyone around him.
The bishop remembered encouraging him to keep attending counselling regardless of his struggles, reminding him that recovery required patience, consistency and faith.
He described Kinuthia’s transformation as evidence that no one is beyond redemption.
Drawing from biblical teachings, Bishop Mwangi said addiction destroys lives, families and destinies, but through faith, counselling and rehabilitation, people can reclaim their purpose.
He likened Kinuthia’s journey to the biblical account of the man delivered from demonic oppression who later became a messenger of hope to many communities.
“God did not create human beings to be destroyed by addiction. Every recovering addict carries enormous potential to transform other lives once they receive healing,” the bishop said.
He commended Kinuthia for returning to the same community where addiction had nearly destroyed him to inspire others instead of hiding from his past.
Another speaker reminded guests that celebrating sobriety differs from celebrating birthdays because recovering addicts celebrate being given a second chance at life.
The speaker observed that even after achieving sobriety, recovery remains a lifelong process requiring continuous vigilance, discipline and support.
He recalled seeing Kinuthia during his recovery years volunteering in community activities, entertaining children with his guitar and participating in charitable programmes—activities that reflected a complete transformation from his former life.
The speaker congratulated Kinuthia for choosing to mark his tenth anniversary by giving thanks to God and committing himself to serving others facing similar struggles.
One of the most inspiring testimonies came from Jude Njomo former Kiambu member of parliament who narrated how Kinuthia had previously helped connect a young man struggling with addiction to rehabilitation services.
Although the young man initially fled the rehabilitation centre after only three days, he later returned voluntarily, completed treatment and eventually secured employment abroad in Qatar.
According to Njomo, the former addict worked for two years, purchased land for his mother and rebuilt his life—demonstrating that rehabilitation can restore dignity, employment opportunities and family stability.
He also recalled leading another initiative that rehabilitated dozens of young people through counselling and vocational training in electrical installation and steam fitting.
Many of the graduates later secured employment across the country and abroad, with some eventually returning to express gratitude for the opportunity that transformed their lives.
The testimonies reinforced the message that addiction should not define a person’s future and that timely intervention can restore productive citizens.
Speakers repeatedly observed that one of the greatest obstacles facing recovering addicts is the high cost of rehabilitation.
They challenged churches, businesses, professionals and ordinary citizens to contribute small monthly donations that can collectively sponsor treatment for those who cannot afford rehabilitation.
Rather than relying solely on government interventions, they proposed establishing a sustainable community fundraising programme to finance rehabilitation, counselling and skills development for recovering addicts.
Legal practitioner Joy Wanjiru, one of the sponsors of the initiative, applauded Kinuthia’s courage in openly sharing his recovery journey, saying honest testimonies help break the stigma surrounding addiction and encourage those still suffering in silence to seek help.
As guests applauded Kinuthia’s decade of sobriety, the celebration ended with renewed hope that his recovery story will inspire countless others to begin their own journey towards healing.
For Kinuthia, the anniversary was not merely about celebrating ten alcohol-free years but about proving that every recovering addict deserves another chance—and that with faith, family support, rehabilitation and community encouragement, lives can indeed be rebuilt.
