John Mututho could at best be described as a household name in the country; he is a man who enjoys love and hate in equal measure.
The former National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) chairman is widely known for his strong advocacy against alcoholism.
Former Naivasha MP John Mututho. [Source/John Mututho/Facebook]
He is the force behind the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act infamously known as the “Mututho law” which dealt a blow to tipplers by reducing the number of drinking hours.
Mututho law was enacted in 2012 and is still in force.
It prescribes that all drinking joints should operate from 5 pm to 11 pm during weekdays and from 2 pm to 1 pm during weekends and public holidays.4
Though this piece of legislation cost him a ticket back to parliament in 2013 and Nakuru governorship in 2017, Mututho has gone out of his way to salvage lives doomed by the nightmare that is substance abuse.
The former Naivasha MP founded the John Mututho Empowerment Centre (JOMEC) which is situated at Mwariki estate along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
Reportedly said to be Africa’s largest rehabilitation centre, JOMEC offers holistic treatment services to patients suffering from substance-related conditions besides providing shelter and rehabilitation services.
John Mututho Empowerment Centre (Jomec) administration block. [Source/Enock Nyariki]
In 2016, Mututho through JOMEC partnered with Indian-based pharmaceutical company Rusan Pharma Ltd to provide naltrexone – an implantation tablet that helps alcohol addicts to remain sober.
He says that the centre is unique in that it is affordable and allows patients to use their NHIF cards, unlike many other rehab centres which are expensive.
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