Murang’a: Two secondary school teachers from Embu and Makueni counties have opened up about their devastating battles with gambling addiction, revealing a dark and fast-growing crisis that counsellors warn is silently destroying families across Kenya.
According to Kenya News Agency, the duo was interviewed at Edin Care Rehabilitation Centre in Murang’a, where they had been invited to offer sessions and share their recovery journey with over 80 recovering addicts admitted to the centre. Maxwell Muriithi Nyaga, 32, a teacher at Mary’s Nyangwa Girls in Embu, admitted that gambling almost ruined his life, as it drained his finances, shattered his marriage, nearly led him to consider suicide, and left his family dealing with overwhelming trauma and debts.
Muriithi’s addiction journey began in 2014 while he was studying at the University of Nairobi. He recalls being introduced to a betting company by a friend on campus, initially as a form of entertainment, before it spiraled into a full-blown addiction that drastically altered his life. Muriithi and his fellow teacher, Ndiku, expressed gratitude to their employer, the Teachers Service Commission, for supporting them throughout their recovery and reintegration process.
Now serving as addiction champions, the two teachers visit schools, churches, and community groups to warn young people about the dangers of gambling and to encourage those struggling to seek help. Their message emphasizes the reality of addiction, the possibility of recovery, and the destructive nature of gambling.
According to Counsellor Charles Njugia of Edin Care, pathological gambling is poised to become Kenya’s next major mental health crisis. He warns, “Pathological gambling is a new form of addiction in our society and it is a ticking time bomb.” The accessibility of smartphones and the proliferation of betting companies have placed young people at significant risk. Njugia describes gambling as “cunning, baffling, and powerful,” noting that it often starts as fun, then becomes an addiction, leading individuals to lose money and engage in revenge betting in an attempt to recover their losses, often resulting in total ruin.
Njugia highlights severe consequences such as depression, broken families, financial ruin, suicide attempts, and even deaths. However, he emphasizes that recovery is achievable. “After treatment, we follow up for three months to ensure no relapse. With support, counselling, and lifestyle change, people can rebuild their lives,” he concludes.
