From addiction to advocacy: How one man’s battle with drugs sparked mental health movement

For Mohamed Bakari, addiction began quietly and almost without notice. He was just a Class 7 pupil growing up in Sofia, Kamukunji Constituency—young, curious, and eager to fit in.

Surrounded by influences he didn’t fully understand, he started experimenting with small amounts of alcohol and bhang. At the time, it didn’t seem like a big deal.

But the weight of peer pressure crept in slowly and heavily. Before long, it wasn’t just experimentation—it was dependence. What began as moments of escape turned into a cycle of addiction that would follow him for years.

Even as he wished to break free, Mohamed found himself trapped—not only by the substances, but by the very environment he lived in.

Poverty, stress, and depression were daily realities. The streets around him echoed with stories of young men, full of potential, falling into the same trap he was caught in. The dreams he once had were now buried under the burden of survival.

“Sometimes, you really want to change. Your heart is ready. But the environment doesn’t give you the chance to depress … it wears you down.”

He notes that sometimes, they just need someone who listens; someone who cares. But when no one is there, drugs become the only friend they know.

Way of life

In his community, drug use has become a way of life for many. With unemployment high and hope low, some youth turn to crime just to feed their habits. It’s not about rebellion—it’s survival.

For years, he found himself caught in a painful cycle.

He tried to quit drugs multiple times, each time hoping it would be different, but the same patterns pulled him back in. Nothing seemed to work until one day, he discovered a spark within himself: a talent for sports.

It was on the football field that Mohamed had a moment of clarity. He realised he couldn't truly play at his best while still using drugs.

That truth hit hard, but it was the turning point.

Determined to change, he made the difficult decision to begin training, to get his body and mind back in shape. It wasn’t easy; every step felt like a battle. But slowly, his passion for football began to outweigh his cravings.

More time on the pitch

Other Topics To Read

• Health
• Kamukunji Constituency
• Mental health
• Bhang
• depression
• alcohol
• drugs
• addiction
• battle with drugs
• Mohamed Bakari
• Sofia
• From addiction to advocacy: How one man’s battle with drugs sparked mental health movement
• Headlines

He started spending more time on the pitch than on the streets. His friends still hung around the old corners, but Mohamed had found something stronger than addiction—a purpose.

Now, it has been 10 years since he left drugs behind to fully focus on his talent.

But Mohamed didn’t stop with his own transformation.

Seeing so many young men with great potential in life falling into the same trap he had once escaped stirred something in him. He founded Chipukeezy, a youth group that uses sports as a tool to teach young people about mental health and raise awareness about drug abuse.

“Many of these young people aren’t thieves or lost causes, like society labels them. They have talent. They just lack opportunity—and someone to really listen to them. They have problems, but no one to talk to, so drugs feel like the only escape.”

Sports programmes

Through Chipukeezy, Mohamed and his team have engaged countless young people in sports programmes. He offers them not only mentorship but also a sense of belonging and hope. He often shares his personal story to show that change is possible, and backs it up with action by connecting youth to work opportunities in places like local car washes and community projects.

He has seen firsthand how giving young people a chance to participate in something meaningful can completely transform their lives.

“These youth are just desperate for a voice, for someone to believe in them. Without that, they fall into peer pressure. But when we give them opportunity and support on the ground, they rise,” he says.

So far, Mohamed proudly says he has helped over 15 young people fully recover and rebuild their lives. But to him, that’s just the beginning.

Growing mental health crisis

Mercy Mwende, a psychologist at Thalya Psychotherapy, notes the growing mental health crisis among young people. In her work, she has observed that many youths today are under immense pressure, much of it coming from their peers and the unrealistic expectations they place on themselves within very short timeframes.

"Young adults are increasingly driven by comparison—comparing their lives, looks, and achievements with others, especially on social media," says Mwende.

"They’re expected to succeed quickly, to live big, and to constantly keep up. But many lack the emotional resilience needed to handle these demands, and when emotions become overwhelming, drugs often seem like the easiest escape."

She notes that some young people even engage in relationships with older individuals just to maintain a certain lifestyle, highlighting how far they are willing to go to meet the standards set by peer influence and societal expectations.

"Many youths aren’t living within their means or even according to their age. It’s no longer just about fitting in—it's about surviving an identity that isn’t even theirs."

Caregivers and parents

Mwende stresses the crucial role that caregivers and parents play in a young person’s development.

According to her, adolescence is a vulnerable period, and how a child is guided through emotional challenges greatly impacts their ability to cope in adulthood.

"When children don’t learn how to manage emotions early on, it becomes incredibly difficult to change negative behaviours once they're older," she says.

"Right now, we’re seeing very alarming mental health trends—high levels of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts among very young individuals."

"You don’t just wake up one day and realise your child has shut down. There are always signs—but if you’re not involved in their lives, you’ll miss them."

She encourages parents to engage their children in open conversations, to prepare them for life’s challenges, and to teach them how to express and process their feelings.

"If they’re overwhelmed, they need to know they can talk to someone. That one conversation can prevent deep depression or worse."

Dangerously blurred line

Mwende also highlights the role of social media in this growing crisis. For many young people, the line between what’s real and what’s curated online has become dangerously blurred.

"Social media influence is a huge contributor to the rise in depression and substance abuse. Young minds are impressionable—they see others living seemingly perfect lives and start to question their own worth. This creates intense pressure and anxiety," she says.

She notes that parents must be present.

"Watch what your children are consuming online. Guide them. Be the safe space they need in a world that’s constantly pressuring them to be more, do more, and feel less."

Depression

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), depression affects approximately 3.8 per cent of the global population. Among adults, the prevalence is around 5 per cent, with 4 per cent of men and 6 per cent of women affected.

For individuals over the age of 60, this figure rises to 5.7 per cent.

Notably, women are 50 per cent more likely to experience depression than men, and over 10 per cent of pregnant women and new mothers are affected.

Despite the availability of effective treatments, more than 75 per cent of people in low- and middle-income countries still do not receive adequate mental health care.

In Kenya, the situation is equally concerning.

According to a recent NACADA report, 53 per cent of Kenyans aged 15 to 65 have used at least one substance in their lifetime.

Currently, 17.5 per cent—about 4.73 million individuals—are actively using drugs or other substances.

Alcohol is the most commonly abused, with 11.8 per cent of the population currently using it. Cannabis (bhang) use has also sharply risen, increasing by 90 per cent over the past five years, with 1.9 per cent of Kenyans reporting current use.