Tana River County Governor Dhadho Godhana.
A road accident that claimed the life of a Tana River County official last week may have gone unnoticed by many, but it has since revealed a crisis that has long been silently affecting workers in the county government.
According to police reports, the accident was a case of drunk driving, with bottles of alcohol later found inside the vehicle. While the county driver, who was not behind the wheel at the time, died on the spot, his companions sustained serious injuries.
Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana has now expressed concern over rising cases of drug and alcohol abuse within his administration. Speaking in Hola during the official's burial on Sunday, Mr Godhana lamented that service delivery is being crippled by what he described as a drinking culture among public servants, one that not only endangers lives but also undermines livelihoods.
“It is disheartening that we are picking such a culture. This behaviour undermines public trust, weakens service delivery, and puts the lives of citizens and even our employees at risk,” the Governor said.
He declared that he will henceforth not hesitate to take disciplinary action against those caught reporting to work drunk. At the same time, he urged those battling addiction to seek medical treatment rather than risk their jobs, lives, and the public’s welfare.
Even as he sounded the alarm, the Governor revealed a disturbing culture of silence within his administration. Whenever he asks for records of employees battling substance abuse, he says the truth is deliberately hidden from him.
“Chief Officers and Department Executives protect their staff for fear they might be dismissed. But when something tragic or fatal happens, that’s when they come forward to admit the person was an abuser," Mr Godhana said.
He confessed that for a long time, he assumed the problem was limited to off-duty drinking. However, reports reaching him indicate that some staff arrive at work intoxicated, including employees directly attached to his own office.
Mr Godhana noted that several cases from the County Department of Health had been flagged, with some employees even being recommended for rehabilitation. He further pointed out that the number of women engaging in heavy drinking has increased, signaling a worrying trend that cuts across gender lines.
According to Ms Sylvia Galia, a counseling psychologist based at Hola Referral Hospital, concealing cases of substance abuse within institutions only worsens the problem.
"Addicts are patients, when they are hidden from help it only enables the behavior. The earlier their cases are addressed, the faster we tackle the problem or else they develop it into a habit," she said, in a separate interview.
She advised heads of departments to adopt a proactive approach by identifying warning signs early, referring affected staff for counseling or rehabilitation, and creating workplace wellness programs that support recovery rather than secrecy.
Across Kenya, concerns have been raised over rising addiction levels among the public. A 2022 report by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) revealed that more than 3.2 million Kenyans are struggling with alcohol-related disorders. Notably, a significant percentage of them are in formal employment.
Residents of Hola and other towns in Tana River say they are not surprised by the Governor’s revelations. Many allege they have witnessed county staff drunk during working hours.
Some, however, remain skeptical about whether the Governor’s tough talk will translate into action—pointing to years of unfulfilled promises on discipline and accountability within county offices.
