From struggle to strength: How Kenya Police FC Safety and Security Officer Kiarie Mbugua overcame alcohol addiction
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Reading Time: 10min | Sun. 02.11.25. | 20:12
Mbugua, a renowned football enthusiast and a policeman opens up on his long battle with alcohol addiction and how he managed to overcome it
In the dark days of the Covid-imposed lockdowns, Kiarie Mbugua, popularly known as 'Tosh Jahmboka' in football circles, had hit a crisis point.
His life aspirations had nearly vanished into thin air due to struggles with alcohol addiction.
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“There was a time we were in the car with friends, and one of them bought a 750ml bottle of Gilbeys. I drank it all, and we went for lunch. I felt completely normal, and no one noticed,” he recalls, illustrating the depths of his dependency.
Research on severe alcohol dependence reveals sobering outcomes.
An eight-year clinical follow-up found that about one-third of patients who achieved sustained abstinence faced mortality or continued struggles.
Many who resume drinking post-treatment experience high relapse rates.
Fortunately, Tosh is among the one-third, who have achieved lasting sobriety and is, determined to help younger athletes avoid the same pitfalls.
“I have been sober for five years now. Sobriety is my responsibility,” he said.
According to research published by statskenya.co.ke in February, alcohol use remains widespread in Kenya, affecting all demographics.
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In 2020, the average Kenyan aged 15 and above consumed about 2.47 liters of pure alcohol annually.
Nearly 26% of Kenyan men reported drinking alcohol in the past month, compared to only 5.4% of women.
Urban areas recorded higher rates, with 29.9% of men and 8.6% of women consuming alcohol recently.
Counties like Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Embu, and Murang’a had the highest male drinking rates, while Turkana, Kiambu, and Murang’a led among women.
Interestingly, alcohol consumption was highest among individuals with more than secondary education and those in higher wealth brackets.
Yet, addiction runs deeper among the poor, with lower-income groups more likely to drink almost every day.
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Experts estimate that out of every 100 people who undergo rehabilitation, only about 33 rebuild their lives successfully, while another 33 relapse and 33 die.
The true scale of Kenya’s addiction crisis remains hard to measure as stigma leads many cases to go unreported.
Many suffering from alcohol dependence endure it silently, fearing discrimination, gossip, or being labeled weak.
Clinical Psychologist and Sports Therapist Dr. Rhoda Kithure notes that stigma creates barriers for athletes and the general public in discussing substance use or mental health struggles.
“Stigma prevents many from admitting they have a problem. Anxiety and depression often accompany substance use, but fear of judgment stops people from seeking help,” explains Dr. Kithure
Background and upbringing significantly influence these statistics.
Tosh grew up in the challenging slums of Kisumu, where alcohol was not merely a vice but part of everyday life.
“I was born in Kisumu, at Russia Hospital, now Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital. I grew up in Manyatta, in Kondele Ward,” he recalls.
He studied at Singh Sabha in Kalasinga before moving to Western Kenya, where he joined Chavakali High School.
“I played for a local team called Urusi Football Club because it was close to home. My mother did not want me to play football; she often beat me whenever I went out,” he remembers.
Despite the friction, his passion for the game endured.
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He completed high school in 2006 and unsuccessfully attempted to join the army. He eventually joined the National Youth Service (NYS).
Two years later, in 2009, he was recruited into the Administration Police Service, before joining the Kenya Police later on, where he was posted to Kericho, marking his transition into independence.
“In Kericho, I was independent, young, single, rich, and famous. Our camp was near the stadium, where lawyers like Ken Ochieng and Dominic Rono played football for fun. They formed Zoo FC, which started as a response to the community's need,” Tosh reflects.
As Zoo FC grew, so did his sense of belonging.
Although he later transferred to Northern Kenya, he remained connected to the game.
In Runyenjes, he supported Chiamanda FC, and even though he could no longer play, he stayed close to football. He then coached Newsight FC, propelling them to the County League.
However, beneath this passion lay a silent battle with addiction.
Tosh began drinking heavily, and what started as casual fun with friends quickly spiraled into dependence.
“My first interaction with drugs felt like ‘fashion’ at a young age. My elder friends brought drinks home, and I joined in, unaware of my genetic predisposition to addiction. I used alcohol, weed, and miraa,” he admits.
He did not recognize the escalation of his drinking until it began to impact his health, relationships, and sense of self.
“I was a functional addict, unaware of my slow descent into addiction. I had an impulsive personality and struggled with anger issues. I started using drugs around 2004, but by 2016, the consequences began to catch up with me,” he recalls.
Dr. Kithure understands that addiction rarely starts dramatically; it often creeps in quietly, disguised as harmless fun or stress relief.
“You will notice patterns like missing training, frequent injuries, poor focus, financial mismanagement, low motivation, and irritability. Some lose their sense of purpose, going through the motions of the game,” the sports psychologist explains.
Tosh exhibited many of these signs.
“I enrolled in school but dropped out. Drinking affected my job. My late grandparents scolded me often, and as the eldest son, I was constantly reminded to keep pushing,” he recounts.
For years, Tosh felt trapped in a cycle he could not escape.
Each morning, nursing a brutal hangover, he would reflect on his life and everything he had lost, promising himself to change.
Yet by evening, he found himself back at the bar.
“I would receive my salary on Friday and be broke by Monday, begging for an advance,” he says.
In 2016, his mother was diagnosed with a cancerous diabetic wound that led to an amputation.
The pain pushed Tosh deeper into drinking. Yet this dark period also reminded him that he had something to live for, thanks to his strong social ties.
His friends rallied around him, raising funds for his mother’s treatment, donating blood, and providing support that rekindled his will to fight.
“They helped me see that life was worth living. My pay slip was exhausted, but they stood by me, even visiting my mom at home. She eventually received a prosthetic leg and is now doing well,” he shares.
Despite this support, addiction held a firm grip on him. His world was shrinking, one drink at a time.
During this period, Tosh first considered rehab, but his sister, Monica Mbugua, a senior police officer, believed he could overcome addiction through willpower and companionship.
“I was a binge drinker, constantly in debt. When broke, I would turn to cheaper options. In 2016, I expressed my desire to go to rehab, but my mother and sister insisted I did not need it, if I truly wanted to stop, I would,” he recalls.
Dr. Kithure explains that many families misunderstand addiction.
“Some see it as a moral failing or even witchcraft. Others think rehab offers instant healing. Recovery is a process requiring continuous work and support,” she clarifies.
For Tosh, this was the case for three long years until his work life began to deteriorate.
“One day, I opened my cabinet and realized I had bought almost 15 phones in a year, losing them whenever I went out drinking. My family blamed football and the company I kept,” he remembers.
In 2019, he made a bold attempt to reclaim his life by stopping drinking for six months. This period was both liberating and challenging.
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However, sobriety can be fragile. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, isolation, anxiety, and uncertainty crept back in, reigniting his addiction.
“I started drinking even more. I was sweating excessively, going days without showering, and losing respect among my peers,” he recounts.
Eventually, his situation became too visible to ignore.
Work performance plummeted, and complaints accumulated.
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Concerned, his superiors reached out to his sister, Monica, who recognized that this time was different.
“She suggested rehab, and I agreed. The night before entering rehab, I went out and drank heavily. The next morning, I experienced severe withdrawal symptoms,” he remembers.
When Tosh arrived to sign his rehab papers, he was shaking, disoriented, and racing with anxiety.
He excused himself, stepped out, and went straight to a nearby bar before returning to the office to sign the papers.
He was then admitted for detox at the Chiromo Group of Hospitals in Muthangari, Lavington.
“At rehab, I encountered people in worse conditions than mine and realized I had been playing with my life. They ran tests on my organs and admitted me for detox and counseling. I stayed there for two months,” he said.
Two months passed quickly, and soon it was time for discharge.
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However, Dr. Kithure stresses that without confronting the underlying issues that led to addiction, recovery can become an uphill battle.
“Addiction is a chronic, relapsing illness. If someone does not address the triggers that caused the addiction, they are likely to revert to old patterns. That’s why aftercare and continuous monitoring are crucial,” she explains.
Tosh began therapy to confront his past and pave the way for a future he believed was still within reach.
That is when he joined Ngong Retreat Centre for Rehabilitation. His sessions were facilitated by Joy Maele, a clinical psychologist, who has remained his friend to date.
“After discharge, I was under the care of Dr. Frank Njenga. I told him I wanted to address the underlying issues. He referred me to another facility, where I stayed for three more months for psychotherapy. I was finally discharged in May 2021,” he shares.
Determined to become one of those who leave rehab and reclaim their lives, Tosh reflected on the time he had wasted and decided to quit for good.
“Addiction gives you two paths: full recovery or death,” he asserts.
Tosh moved in with close friends who ran an event safety and security company, Third Eye.
They understood his story and offered a safe space to rebuild.
“They brought me on board during the Barthes Cup. I admired how organized rugby was regarding safeguarding and wanted to introduce that professionalism to football,” he explains.
He began volunteering during major tournaments, including the Safari 7s, and in 2024, he took a professional Club Safety and Security Officer course.
However, navigating a sports culture where alcohol flows freely has not been easy.
“Once you take that first drink, you are already on the last step of relapse,” he warns.
Tosh believes addiction is an overlooked crisis among young athletes who have money but lack mentorship.
“Many earn money early, but one injury can collapse everything. I lacked guidance growing up. When I got a job, my mother stepped back, and no one checked on me. That is the situation many players face now, they have no one watching over them,” he says.
He advocates for collaboration between federations and organizations like NACADA or the Kenya Psychologists Association to educate players.
“They can also use stories like mine to show that recovery is possible,” he adds.
Now five years sober, Tosh is studying psychology to mentor the next generation.
He pioneered the Embu Legends FC, which draws football stakeholders from Embu County to champion the need for awareness and sensitization among clubs.
His sobriety has since paid off as he has been in some of the World’s best tournaments like the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
During the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), he served as the Vice Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the Safety and Security Committee.
He is currently the interim National Safety and Security Officer for the Football Kenya Federation.
Dr. Kithure notes that sports can serve as a powerful protective factor.
“For most people, we recommend treatment alongside exercise. But for athletes, exercise is already central to their lives; it’s a natural defense. The challenge lies in the pressure and stigma surrounding mental health, which prevents many from seeking help,” she states.
She acknowledges that while full-blown addiction cases in elite sports are rare, problematic use is common.
“There’s a thin line between celebration and problematic use. Post-match drinking can extend into days, and that’s when it becomes harmful. Unfortunately, it’s normalised, making it difficult for players struggling with sobriety to feel supported,” she explains.
Due to stigma, many players conceal their struggles.
“They fear being benched or judged. Some clubs can’t afford psychologists, and even well-meaning coaches are stretched thin. Many cases go unnoticed until it’s too late,” she says.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Kithure sees progress in Kenyan sports.
“Clubs are slowly acknowledging mental health as part of performance. The biggest issue remains sustainability. We still need consistent support,” she added.
