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President Kenyatta's niece Nana Gechaga has opened up on how she turned to an alcohol addict after enrolling at a United States University.
Speaking during an interview with Kiss FM, Nana, a former sprinter, revealed how her penchant for alcohol killed her dream of becoming an Olympic champion.
"My first year at the university in America was very rocky, and that is where my everything fell apart. I was an addict of alcohol but I was able to go to rehab and from there, it's been 19 years without drinking."
"My first degree in the [US] was business, advertising and marketing; the second degree, pursued in the UK was fashion."
The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) managing director said she had a passion in athletics and had always dreamt of competing and representing Kenya on a global stage, but her life took a complete shift after joining the US institution, where she turned into an alcoholic.
"The person you see here today has had many lives before who I am today. My passion was actually sports. I was a very big athlete back in the day, and I actually qualified for the 1996 Olympics."
She says she used to take too much alcohol at the time, meaning she could not make it to the competition despite having qualified.
“With that comes regret; my biggest regret is that it {alcoholism} derailed me from pursuing my dream in athletics, even after qualifying for the 1996 Summer Olympics – sprinting. Due to drinking, heavily at that time, I just said: ‘I had qualified for the Olympics, but did not go’."
" Now, when I look back, I say it was my time to do service. But, again, it is not about dwelling on it, but moving forward; and saying: ‘From there, what can I now do, especially now that I know better?’” she said.
She says fighting alcoholism was her life's most difficult moment. "It definitely builds character because it takes a lot of strength to acknowledge that you have a problem, whatever it is. Getting out of it is something I am happy about because most people do not manage."
In a past interview, Nana said she used to take a full crate of beer per day and a bottle of hard liquor on top of it.
‘’Well it was 24 beers that's a crate a day and a half a bottle or full bottle of liquor,’’ said Gecaga.
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1. Alcolism (and Drug use) run in the Kenyatta Family. 2. If you send a Kid abroad and you pour Money to him or her (more often than normal) then you're Spoiling and Setting up your Kid abroad for Leasure and Drug or/and Alcohol abuse. Solution: Let your Kids abroad get a Job for their Pocket money (and even Tution and Board). Don't Spoil them; just let them Grow Up (rather than Go down like this Girl did).
Please only comment on things you know about and are sure of. You are implying a kid can work and make enough for pocket money, room and board and tuition in the US or anywhere else. Wrong. Having money will obviously make it possible to buy beer and such. But having money does not make an alcoholic. So parents, please make sure your kids have enough and not struggle as much as some of us did. And miss, thanks for sharing.
I know the Kenyatta Family. E.g. Uhuru Kenya is an Alcoholic and a Drug Addict.
I thought she said she schooled at the UK! I might be mistaken.
Its called reading and comprehension. Read the article again and try to comprehend.
Mheshimiwa Sokwe: Umesema kweli kabisa.
Thank you Nana for being candid with your addiction. Perhaps your kin should have appointed you to head NACADA instead of the one appointed who I strongly doubt understands the basics of it.More and more women are now struggling with alcohol addiction and I hope by coming out they can see it is possible to overcome. Men especially in mugikuyu land wamekunywa kukunywa hata hawawezi zaa. You can team up with Babayao in your village in minimizing illicit alcohol sale then move on to minimizing pubs in mugikuyu land.
I thought this piece was here a few months back ? Or did I go back in time :-)
@formerlyguest2. it was it maybe someone of them editors is inspired
Experts might explain better,but iam sure there is something that makes people addicts and others not
I smoked it cigarettes for 12 years,but never craved for it.I stopped because I was wasting money.I drink,but never crave for drinks as well.Sometime what stops me from drinking is the fear of a hangover...
Therefore we should empathize with people who have addictions.The only exception ihave is those who say they are addicted to sex.
Experts have already analyzed it many years ago and came up with what its called the X- Factor.It's something you are born with which will only manifest itself if you pursue a drug of choice.Some people will have it but never disturb it hence they will never know but it will be noticed on stuff like craving tea if the regularly consume it.Others like you don't have it that is why you will not be hooked or addicted and manage to stop at anytime.Addiction is a disease not a choice.
@ William thanks for your enlightenment.Human being is indeed a complex " machine".we look a like and generally respond similarly to same stimuli, but we have hard time controlling human behavior...especially destructive behavior.Addicts know that they are ruining themselves but have hard time not taking the drugs.Yes it had to be something more than the just feel good they get.
Huyu ni Nana,Mama Kamamgu?
Wah! I learnt a lot today from all these addiction experts here on this forum. That's why I am unable to quit smoking. It's also why ruto cannot avoid school playgrounds and choppers. Ben Gethi cannot quit nys, and miguna cannot go for a day without picking a fight. Thanks people!
Help the boy wonder to kick habit also. While you are at iy help him kick the drug habit too. He should also stop fighting corruption PR gimicks. Bure kabisa
Instead of spoilt rich kid coming to tell us of how she made it through her first year as an Invèstment banker in Wall ST while studying for her CFA designation.
She comes out talking about how she blew out money getting drunk during her first year in college. I mean, how weak is that.
And that's a lame excuse at best.
To the lay reader she potrays herself as the victim. But compared to her age mates from similar background in North America. She did poorly.
Maybe if you compare her with the likes of Jeff Koinange and maina kagenis of this world. Maybe she stands a chance. Which is just Sad.
I empathise with Nana, lakini can't help but feel she had the tools and assistance to fight the addiction, which to her credit she did. Hope she is using the experience to aid those stuck in this rut, those with no voice or support in higher places. Addiction is a b**tch!! I know it first hand as living with a family member with it. Hard to help them when they are in it and their pain and failures wrap themselves around you as if you are to blame. The mix of emotions stimulates a lot of pent up emotional roller-coaster...love, guilt, resentment, rejection, anger and hate..all in equal measures towards the victim. I would not wish it on my worst enemy. Period.
Thank you nana for coming out n talking about this poison called alcohol.Nana I thot u went to college in uk not in usa coz I was at Churchill show other day n u mentioned only studied n leaves in UK???Anyway Personally I have never taken alcohol or smoked coz I have never bin interested at all n am 38 yrs??If u can avoid smoking n alcohol please do coz I They do is mess up yr brains giving u cancer n yes I get it that u can die anytime but why kill yourself Pole pole.In Boston pombe inakunywangwa sana sana.
@mkenya halisi.Ihave never been to Boston,butI met a girl from Ivory Coast from there.First thing she told me,"Kenyans,dthrink too much.. dthrink ,dthrink ,and dthrink more".So you may be right that booze in boston flows like unrestrained river among kenyans.Too bad.But Iwonder why...
Huyu Mlevi ndo alipewa KICC awe CEO while better peers existed. Shindwe. Useless
I only wish other Kenyan alcohol addicts (which are many) abroad can emulate Nana and find a way (or seek help) to kick the habit. It is a struggle but it is also doable. Thank you Nana for speaking out. You'll never know but your revelations probably just saved a life.