Emotional court plea as mother reveals son’s struggle with alcoholism

An emotional scene unfolded in court on Tuesday, as a mother recounted her son’s ongoing battle with alcoholism, urging the court to intervene for his safety and well-being.

The mother described her son, Austin Ochieng’, as someone who has repeatedly failed to reform despite multiple rehabilitation attempts.

“Go back home. You are not going to stay alone again. You will not. Your Honor, if there is anything you can do for Austin, because he has proved that he can’t stay alone,” she said.

“It is not business as usual. Your Honor, I plead with this court that this boy cannot stay alone again. He can't,” she told the court, insisting that he return home under parental supervision.

Austin addressed the court directly, apologising to his family and promising to change his lifestyle and habits.

“I would like to apologise to my family, my aunties, uncles and my mom. Only somebody insane would go through this ordeal again. I promise a change of lifestyle, a change of habit,” he said.

Despite his apology, the mother remained firm, expressing doubt over his ability to maintain sobriety.

She highlighted the emotional toll his struggles had on the family, particularly during late-night crises when he was reportedly found intoxicated.

“Your apologies are somewhere along the way. Something drastic must happen in your life. That is going back home,” she said, urging the court to take decisive action.

“So let's see where you're going to be drinking and doing all these things you're doing when you're not at home.”

The court heard how Austin’s previous rehabilitation efforts, spanning six months, had not produced lasting results.

His mother emphasised that returning him to independent living could jeopardise his safety and wellbeing.

Milimani Magistrate Dolphina Alego noted the challenges families face when their children are involved in reckless behaviour.

“That is a parent talking. These are the parents who have carried you, and they are at their lowest. That is the pain that a mother and a father can have,” she said.

The court ordered Austin and his co-accused to move back home, adding, “because you need it more than any other time”.

Austin had appeared in court alongside Dennis Kariuki, Louis Osiro, Lucy Moraa, Ali Kibwana Kamaku, Precious Kendi and Wendi Kerubo.

 The seven Daystar University students had been previously linked to the death of 23-year-old Lorna Kathambi Karani, a fellow student. 

 They were released after a CCTV footage conclusively showed that Kathambi fell while attempting to jump between balconies at an apartment in Ngara, Nairobi. 

According to investigators, the video captured the young lady trying to leap from one wing of the building to another on the night of November 23, 2025.

Kathambi slipped and fell from the 11th floor, dying instantly. A toxicology report presented in court revealed that she was highly intoxicated at the time of her death.

The eight students, including the deceased, had been partying before the tragedy. 

After reviewing the investigation file, the court closed the criminal matter and ordered their immediate release.