Rev. Stephen Chege during the launch of his book: From Chains to Change on September 7, 2025.
Religious leaders are often seen as unshakable pillars of morality and strength; the people society turns to for guidance in its darkest hours.
Yet behind the robes and sermons, they too wrestle with personal battles, often in silence, fearing ridicule or disgrace.
Such is the story of Rev Stephen Chege, an ordained priest in the Mt. Kenya Central Diocese of the Anglican Church of Kenya.
Today, he stands as a beacon of hope for those battling addiction, but his journey has been marked by years of pain, denial, and resilience.
Chege’s troubles began far from the pulpit. As a theology student at a local university, he was determined to keep his new friends. They drank; he hesitated. But one day, he gave in and lifted his first bottle of beer.
“I didn’t object because I wanted to keep our friendship,” he recalls.
That single choice became the beginning of a decade-long struggle. What started as casual drinking in college spiraled into a chronic addiction that nearly derailed his calling.
Chege had joined the clergy at just 19, fulfilling his childhood dream of priesthood. But while he ministered to others, he wrestled privately with his own demons, stopping for a few days, only to relapse again.
“My dream was to become a priest, but my addiction to alcohol almost ruined it,” he admits.
His seniors in the church noticed the cracks and urged him to seek help, but denial ran deep.
Later, marriage became a turning point. With his wife’s persistent encouragement, he reluctantly agreed to see a doctor, who recommended rehabilitation.
His first attempt failed. He walked out of rehab and soon found himself drinking again. But on his second try, through intense counseling, something changed: acceptance.
“Initially, I was in denial. Being a priest, people would think I had been bewitched or cursed. It took time for me to admit I was sick and needed help,” he says.
The pain was not only personal; it was generational. Chege’s father had died from alcohol-related complications, a fate he had vowed never to repeat. Yet here he was, caught in the same snare.
“Addiction runs in our family. Many don’t understand it’s a disease, and that’s why they never seek help,” he explains.
But Chege did seek help, and with it came transformation. After recovery, he pursued a counseling course, determined to turn his pain into purpose.
Today, he works with schools, churches, and institutions to raise awareness about addiction. He has become not just a survivor, but a guide.
“It took courage to speak about my condition. My goal is to encourage others who may be silently suffering,” he says.
On September 7, 2025, Chege launched his book, From Chains to Change, a deeply personal account of his journey from addiction to recovery. Through it, he hopes to inspire others to break free.
His message is clear: “To anyone struggling with addiction, come out and seek help. Recovery is possible. You can get a new lease on life.”
