The Darushifa Rehabilitation Centre in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area has been closed, director of the National Authority for the Campaign Against alcohol Drug Abuse (Nacada) Vincent Muasya aka Chipukeezy has said.
This after an investigative feature by BBC Africa dubbed Rehab Nightmare: Drugs, Chains, and Canes exposed shocking practices undertaken in several rehabilitation centres in Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate.
The expose by reporter Jamal Osman focused on Islamic rehab centres that offer help to drug addicts and mental patients. The documentary featured shocking footage of supposed patients being tortured, whipped and forced to drink a toxic liquid known as harmala.
The graphic videos were taken by an employee of Darushifa Centre who volunteered to expose the inhumane conditions the patients are subjected to.
Furthermore, several women were filmed at the institution claiming that they were locked for leaving their husbands and walking away from abusive relationships.
Surprisingly, police were also seen dropping off some men in handcuffs at the facility, which NACADA says has been operating illegally.
Following up on its earlier statement acknowledging the damning expose, NACADA last night said the facility has been closed and those responsible arrested.
“Just to inform you that Darufisha Center in Eastleigh has been closed and the perpetrators arrested.
“The centre has been operating illegally and I would like to reitarate that we cannot support patients being abused physically or psychologically,” Chipukeezy said.
The owner of Darushifa has strongly condemned the accusations saying all his clients were taken to the centre by family and denied any use of herbal medicine.
