Counseling Services Expanded Across Counties

The Kenyan government has ramped up its mental health offerings by significantly expanding counseling and psychosocial support across multiple counties. At the 2025 Devolution Conference, mental health advocates pushed for integrating counseling services into all public health facilities, proposing this be treated as a core service like maternity or malaria care.
In Nakuru County, a new mental wellness project is being rolled out to deliver community-centered counseling. The initiative involves training community members and supervisors to identify signs of mental distress, provide psychoeducational support, and refer individuals for more advanced care, particularly through primary health facilities.Further, the County has extended mental health support into workplaces. Across sub-counties such as Gilgil, Naivasha, and Subukia, trained supervisors provide early recognition of mental health issues, while a structured counseling system supports employees dealing with stress, burnout, and substance use.
At the national level, the government is also institutionalizing counseling within its public service. Plans include setting up a tele-counseling helpline, placing counselors in ministries and Huduma Centres, and building capacity through training of public-servant mental health champions to support well-being and prevent crises.