Gachagua, Dorcas Rigathi Present As NACADA Sign MoU With Church Group

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his spouse, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi on Friday, August 4 witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) and the Association of Pentecostal and Evangelical Clergy of Kenya (APECK).

The fight against alcohol, drug, and substance abuse was accelerated through a renewed commitment between NACADA and faith-based organizations in the country.

The signing of the MoU between NACADA and APECK took place at the official residence of the Deputy President in Karen, Nairobi County.

NACADA and APECK CEOs Prof. John Muteti (Acting) and Dr Geoffrey Gichuki sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Deputy President's Karen residence on August 4, 2023. /PASTOR DORCAS RIGATHI

The MoU was signed by NACADA Acting CEO Prof. John Muteti and APECK CEO Dr Geoffrey Gichuki and witnessed by Pastor Dorcas, who is the Patron of APECK.

“Those addicted to drugs are our children, and we must work hard to make sure that the dreams of our children are revalidated. Let us open the doors of our mosques, churches, and temples and make our places of worship safe havens for the vulnerable,” said Pastor Dorcas.

NACADA has in the past signed working MoUs with the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK), the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), the Catholic Church, and the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA).

“NACADA will share technical expertise with APECK and train clergy, Sunday school teachers, and counsellors on the detection and control of substance abuse, and also support community-based and education programs targeting persons with alcohol and drug abuse disorders among stakeholders,” said Muteti.

Muteti emphasized the need for community-based rehabilitation, saying formal rehabilitations were very expensive and would not be sufficient for the many who need rehabilitation.

“We can replicate home-based and community-based rehabilitation across the country. Taking someone to a formal rehab is very expensive, to the tune of Ksh100,000 for the three-month duration, and this is the cheapest rate.

"There is a community-based model of rehabilitation working in Githunguri, Kiambu County, that we would like to replicate in other parts of the country and even share with the world. These are homegrown solutions that work through the use of local technology,” he added.

In addition, APECK would lead the campaign against alcohol and drug abuse through advocacy, rehabilitation, and mobilization at the grassroots.

The association would also help in suppressing the supply of illicit brews and drugs through reporting and joint campaigns with NACADA.

APECK CEO, Dr Gichuki, said, “We are leveraging the capabilities of our competitive advantages so we can achieve more than the sum total of our individual efforts.”

Archbishop Gerry Kibarabara urged the church to support the great cause of restoring a generation.

Later, DP Gachagua joined the meeting and appreciated the church for its continued prayers and support for the nation.

Pastor Dorcas Rigathi with NACADA and APECK officials during the signing of an MoU on August 4, 2023. /PASTOR DORCAS RIGATHI