Nairobi Pastor Shares Nearly Losing His 2 Sons Due to Alcoholism
- Reverend Fredrick Ngugi said God had blessed him with twin boys and a daughter but tragically lost one
- Ngugi shared how his sons began drinking alcohol despite being raised with strong Christian values
- He detailed how one of the twins died, adding how grateful he was that his surviving son is now doing well and has his own family
- TUKO.co.ke spoke to Jedida Wafula, a psychologist who shed light on the stress and psychological effects on both family members and the alcohol addict
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National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) board director, reverend Fredrick Ngugi, has shared the painful story of how he almost lost two of his sons to alcoholism.
Source: Youtube
Ngugi revealed that God had blessed him with three children, twin boys and a daughter.
He noted that, as a man of God, he raised them according to his Christian values. However, his firstborn sons began abusing alcohol at the age of 17.
“It was a shock to us because they found me already born again and a very devoted church person, as was their mother,” he explained in a report by NTV Kenya.
Did Fredrick Ngugi attempt to stop his sons’ alcoholism?
The pastor recounted cautioning his boys multiple times against alcohol, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.
“Children sometimes act out. Whenever you see a child misbehaving or abusing any drug, do not blame the parents. Some just do as they wish despite the parents trying so much to caution them and step in,” he said.
The reverend said that he and his wife tried to show their sons the right way to live, but they continued drinking in college and even after graduating.
Ngugi admitted to even using force at some point, slapping them in the hope they would quit alcohol, but that approach did not work either.
According to him, excessive alcohol consumption affected his sons’ health, prompting his wife to ensure that any meal they took was well-balanced to keep them strong despite their battle with addiction.
“I knew at some point, because I was praying about it, they would come out of addiction. We were not enabling them but just showing our love and caring for them,” he said.
He admitted that at the time, he did not know alcoholism was a disease, but he was certain his sons were not drinking voluntarily; it had simply gripped them too strongly.
Source: Youtube
How did reverend Ngugi’s son die?
The man of God said his sons once left home for a drinking spree at a bar near their house.
Unfortunately, they bought counterfeit drinks, which left them unable to return home.
“They fell into one of the trenches and no one knew they were there until much later, when some Good Samaritans informed my wife, who organised how they could get home,” he explained.
Ngugi said his sons were put to bed to sleep off the alcohol, but sadly, Paul Njoroge, one of the twins, died in his sleep.
His twin brother, John Mwangi, woke up and, upon realising what had happened, broke down in tears.
The father of three said Mwangi later remarked that he too, might have died, as they both felt an unusual sensation in their stomachs after consuming the liquor.
Mwangi explained that he had vomited all the contents, but his late brother had not, suggesting that the alcohol had poisoned them.
“He told us they suspected the alcohol was mixed with something, but vomiting saved his life. Otherwise, I would have lost both of them,” Ngugi shared.
Ngugi noted that his surviving son is now doing well and is married with a family of his own.
How to handle an alcoholic family member
TUKO.co.ke spoke to Jedida Wafula, a psychologist who shed light on the stress and psychological effects on both family members and the alcohol addict.
She noted that when one is struggling with alcoholism, it becomes emotionally draining for the entire family.
“Alcoholism is a disease, and most times an effective approach includes compassion, healthy boundaries, and professional support,” she stated.
Wafula explained that separating the loved one from his or her behaviour is one way to help family avoid resenting them and instead focus on getting them help.
She further shared that losing one due to alcoholism can take a toll especially on a parent who did his or her best to help their child recover.
“Its not an easy journey for any parent to see their child pass away, and cannot help, but it's also important not to lose oneself in the grief,” she said.
How did Meru pastor lose wife and kids?
Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that a pastor from Meru emotionally narrated how his wife and three children passed away on the same night.
Pastor Jediel Munoru said that the fateful day started like any other until his phone began buzzing with calls from people asking about his whereabouts.
He said his family was burnt alive in their house in what was suspected to be a case of arson, leaving him confused and heartbroken.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
