Kibera Man Battling Alcoholism Faces Scorn as Family Plunges into Despair

Known by many names—Alcohol, Booze, Ethanol, Podipodi, Tei, Muratina—Osborne Onyango has tried them all. The first thing he reaches for in the morning is a drink, locally referred to as “Kutoa Lock.” It’s also the last thing he does before calling it a night. His dependence on alcohol has turned him into a figure of mockery in Kibera.

Yet, Osborne’s story is not just one of addiction but also of hardship, lost dreams, and the faint hope of redemption. His drinking began back in 2014 while still in high school. Wanting to fit in with his peers, he would sneak out on weekends or slip alcohol into school—Blue Moon was his go-to.

Now, eight years later, alcohol seems to be part of his very being—coursing through his veins, clouding his thoughts, and weighing on his heart. His wife Catherine has grown used to cooking Sukumawiki every single day. Their five-year-old son is not enrolled in school due to a complete lack of resources. For Catherine, the priority is feeding her family—education has taken a backseat to survival. To Read More, Tap Here