Eugene Wamalwa Urges Action on Mental Health
“Currently, mental health is sidelined by policymakers, who fail to recognize that we are a sick nation,”

DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa.Photo by The Standard digital.
By Robert Mutasi
DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa has sounded the alarm on the mental health crisis gripping Kenya, calling for urgent action from policymakers.
Speaking during the launch of mental health app Ajala at Thalia Psycholotherapy’s offices, Wamalwa emphasized the growing neglect of mental health, which he believes is a major public health issue overshadowed by political distractions.
“Currently, mental health is sidelined by policymakers, who fail to recognize that we are a sick nation,” Wamalwa declared.
His remarks come in response to the rising incidence of mental health disorders in Kenya, especially among the youth, who have been hit hardest by the challenges of unemployment, economic instability, and unaffordable education costs.
Wamalwa’s concerns highlight the broader mental health crisis affecting Kenya.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately one in four Kenyans will experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives.
The suicide rate in Kenya has also been rising steadily, with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) reporting a 58% increase in suicide cases between 2018 and 2021.
Among those most vulnerable are young people, who face mounting pressures in an economy where opportunities remain scarce.
Wamalwa also urged policymakers to look beyond political squabbles and refocus on the struggles of ordinary citizens.
“With the national focus on trivial political disputes, we are losing sight of the real struggles faced by everyday Kenyans—issues like unaffordable education costs and rising suicide rates among youth,” he said.
He highlighted that political inaction in addressing these systemic challenges is further deepening the mental health crisis.
In his address, Wamalwa praised innovative solutions such as Ajala, an organization using artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle mental health challenges.
“We hope that the Council of Governors will engage with new partners like Ajala, which uses AI and innovative solutions to address these growing challenges,” he said, stressing that the integration of technology in mental health care could offer a more effective response to the crisis.
Ajala is a notable example of a growing trend in digital mental health services, which uses AI-driven tools to offer counseling, mental health assessments, and self-care resources to individuals in need.
In a country where access to mental health care is limited—there are only about 100 psychiatrists serving Kenya’s 50 million population—such innovations are critical.