Image: COURTESY
The man behind the viral meme 'Jina hutaki' is facing a multitude of health conditions owing to alcohol addiction.
Leonard Omusula back in July begged for help saying he was living in the streets.
Things for Leonard since then have been very slowly improving, but the crippling effects are what discourages him.
From stomach pains to back pain and a bout of malaria, Leonard says it's a journey. He doesn't want rehab immediately but a job.
"Mwili ikirudi hivi, heri nipate kazi naeza andikwa mara hiyo kazi ya kujitegemea, nikita niingie, nikitaka nitoke. I understand about rehab but for now I woudl liek a job."
He spoke to the Mungai Eve where he claimed he has been off alcohol for a month.
"What I would like to tell my generation is that alcohol is not bad. what is the problem is drinking without eating. "You go to drink alcohol on an empty stomach, then when you take that alcohol, you will not have an appetite, and then you sleep hungry," he shared his experience.
He said the alcohol abuse stemmed from the fact that he chose to drink and not eat. It led to other health challenges.
He says coping has been hard, with the detox.
"Imeniletea mimi mwenyewe shida ya kutotumia chakula. Pombe ikikushazoea kwa damu yako kusema ukweli hata dakatari unaweza mlaumu tuu bure," he adds.
He has not had a drink for one month now; "I have not had a drink but recovery kweli iko, is possible. I will get better now."
His father Amos Omusula loves his son and wants him to recover. He says his son began alcoholism in the workplace citing peer pressure.
"Drinking is what led him to be fired from his technician job. He became addicted in 2020."
MP Tindi Mwale helped him out with the resources and support needed. There is a job offer when he is fully recovered. Leonard is looking forward to that as well.
His father says that ever since he has been on an off-and-on journey with alcohol.
The family has tried many ways to help him fight his addiction.
"He is doing a bit well, he is now trying to eat and has progressed well. I am confident in a few weeks he will have recovered"
Leonard has major plans when he is fully recovered. He has one child a daughter who is in Form Two. He has not seen her for a while.
He also says he has future plans to quit alcohol completely but right now he is only drinking a little bit "Unawacha pombe one by one, you go reducing how much you drink over time"
He is also looking forward to dating and getting married again.
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