Benard Kemboi’s battle with addiction and his mission to inspire change in society

MAUREEN CHESANG AND CHRIS TOPHER KIPROP 

Benard Kemboi has overcome sub stance addiction, emerged victorious, and now intends to use his experience to motivate others to avoid the habit that nearly cost him his life. 

The 40-year-old man from Eldama Ravine Sub-County shared how he became one of the five million Kenyans who abuse at least one drug, according to a 2022 NACADA report. 

With the state’s anti-substance abuse campaign highlighting a young age initiation into drug use—ranging from seven to 20 years for different types of drugs—Kemboi fell into the trap during his final year of adolescence and continued for almost twenty years. 

In a world where the allure of acceptance and adventure often overshadows the risks of substance abuse, Kemboi’s story is a poignant reminder of the fragile line between youthfulness and despair. 

Once a promising student with a bright future, he found himself trapped in the clutches of addiction during his freshman year at university. “I was a good boy until I joined university,” Kemboi recalls, his eyes reflecting both pain and resilience. 

It all began innocently at a fresher’s night event, where the excitement of new friendships quickly spiraled into something darker. Encouraged by peers, he began experimenting with drugs, convinced they would elevate his status and confidence. 

“They told me the more I used, the more I would act like a lion,” he explains, a bitter smile crossing his face. What started as casual use soon trans formed into a dependency that consumed his life. Gradually, Kemboi found himself caught in a cycle of addiction, escalating from alcohol to marijuana and eventually cocaine. “I couldn’t do any thing without drugs,” he admits. 

His relationship with sub stances grew so severe that doctors began to question his health in alarming terms. “Whenever I was sick, they wouldn’t ask about the alcohol in my blood; they asked about the blood con tent in the alcohol,” he said. 

The consequences were devastating. His weight dropped to just 36 kilograms at his lowest point. He lost his teaching job, and, even worse, he lost the last thing he could cling to—his family. 

“I felt like I was losing everything since I could not help myself anymore,” he shared, the weight of his past evident in his voice. 

The darkness that enveloped him seemed in surmountable, leaving him with the haunting realization that he was lucky to be alive. It was only after hit ting rock bottom that he sought help from Lands Principal Secretary Nixon Korir, who connected him with the Dorcas Rigathi Foundation. He was admitted to a rehabilitation center in Bomet in January. 

After 100 days in rehab, starting with a weight of 36 kilograms, Kemboi emerged not only reformed but a new person, weighing 70 kilograms. “That was my turning point,” he says, reflecting on the past 100 days since graduating from the program. 

“I’m grateful for the chance to start over.”  

Today, Kemboi stands as a beacon of hope and an ambassador for those struggling with addiction. He uses his experience to advocate for mental health awareness and encourages others to seek help. “I want to tell those in similar situations that there is a way out. Join any rehabilitation center near you; it could save your life,” he emphasized. 

With a newfound purpose, Kemboi is dedicated to educating students about the importance of mental health and the dangers of substance abuse. “Your mental health matters,” he says, a fervent plea echoing through his words. 

“Do not let drugs define your story,” he added. His work was well-recognized during this year’s World Mental Health Day event held in Eldama Ravine, where he gave a talk and encouraged those facing mental health challenges to seek help. 

With NACADA re search finding that drug and substance use is a key risk factor for depressive disorders in youths aged 25-35— who are also vulnerable to drug abuse—there is a need for heightened advocacy among the youth on the dangers of substance abuse. 

Kemboi hopes to find more partners and support so that he can reach more youths across the country and persuade them to steer clear of drugs.