Excessive alcohol consumption is sweeping through Kenyan universities like a storm, leaving students with broken dreams, mental anguish and physical illnesses.
A 2021 research done by Jane Nguru from Africa Nazarene University, which focused on those between 15 to 24 years old, revealed that a significant number of university students were involved in substance abuse as a way of relaxing after classes, to deal with stress and to escape reality.
The research titled Substance Use, Emerging Substances and Poly Drug Use among Undergraduate Students in Universities revealed that 60 per cent of the students had consumed alcohol, and alarmingly, about half of them had developed an alcohol use disorder.
Among the substances examined, alcohol emerged as the most commonly used, with approximately 11.7 per cent of young people admitting to its consumption. Tobacco and cannabis followed suit at 6.2 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively.
The research also highlighted the prevalence of dependency, indicating that 5.5 per cent of young individuals were dependent on alcohol, 4.5 per cent on tobacco, 1.5 per cent on khat and 0.4 per cent on cannabis.
A student who sought anonymity explained how she became a heavy drinker.
“When I joined college I was very shy and had low self-esteem. I found it difficult to make friends but there were other students like me so we kind of bonded. We once went to a party and I drank a lot. For the first time, I felt like I had found a companion and that I belonged. Since then, I drink more frequently as a way of dealing with my loneliness and worry,” she said.
The student remarked revealed that after partying, she was always so drained to even attend classes. Her grades dropped, forcing the institution to give her an academic warning.
“I’m glad they did because it served as a wakeup call for me. I knew I had to stop drinking because dropping out of school would have broken my parents who had given up everything to get me educated,” she narrates.
*Jeff Kinyua, not his real name, revealed that most college students feel pressured to drink in order to fit in with their peers.
“I feel like I have to drink to keep up because if I don’t drink, I feel like I’m missing out or not being social enough. I know excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to my health but I just can’t stop. I feel like I need it daily to cope with the stress of life,” he explains, further stating that drinking will remain an integral part of his life.
Blackouts from excess drinking can endanger a drunk students’ life as it did to one Multimedia University of Kenya student who wished to remain anonymous.
One night after drinking at a party, on her way home, she took the notoriously risky Bangladesh slum in Ongata Rongai. Several men tried to sexually harass her and that jolted her into action.
She joined a support group for students dealing with alcohol misuse and sought counseling at the institution. Consequently, she has become more vocal about the negative effects of abusing alcohol.
Ngure’s research brings attention to the pressing issue of substance use among young adults in Kenyan universities and emphasizes on the need for effective interventions and support systems to address this concerning trend.
Fred Muendo, a lecturer from MMU, expressed concern about the worrisome issue of university students struggling to access therapy for alcohol addiction.
“However, there is hope. With the help of resources like support groups and counseling services, many institutions are stepping up their efforts to combat alcohol misuse on campus. Others are going as far as putting in place policies to restrict alcohol sale on campus or promote responsible drinking,” he noted.
He urged universities to assist in ensuring that students make healthy choices and achieve both academic and personal dreams.
By Mutuvi Janet
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