Lodwar- February 25, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
The County Government has officially launched the first-ever Turkana County Mental Health Council following its gazettment in october last year in line with provision of the mental health act, to strengthen coordination, governance, and access to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHSSP) Services across the county.
The seven-member Council will coordinate and oversee evidence-based interventions, guide policy implementation, and ensure mental health services are accessible, culturally appropriate, and fully integrated into the county health system. It will also establish structured monitoring mechanisms and lead the development of a comprehensive County Mental Health Strategic Plan to guide programming, resource allocation, and service delivery.
Speaking during the launch, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Dr. Joseph Epem, emphasized the need for strong leadership and coordination in addressing the growing mental health burden.
“This Council must provide strong coordination of all mental health interventions across the county. Let us take leadership in policy formulation and in developing a comprehensive County Mental Health Strategic Plan that will guide programming, resource allocation, and service delivery,” said Dr. Epem.
He noted that rising cases of substance abuse are often linked to underlying and untreated mental health conditions, underscoring the urgency for structured and sustainable interventions.
Data shared during the event showed that 15 percent of Kenyan adults live with at least one mental health condition, yet 75 percent do not receive the services they need due to stigma and limited resources.
Additionally, 40 percent of inpatient cases present with psychosocial concerns.
In Turkana, recurrent drought, food insecurity, displacement, and increasing cases of substance misuse have intensified psychosocial stress among communities, further heightening the need for coordinated mental health services.
Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health Services, Agnes Mana, stressed that awareness creation, stigma reduction, and early screening will be critical in improving mental health outcomes across all sub-counties, particularly in areas affected by insecurity.
The Director, Preventive and Promotive Health Services, Daniel Esimit, who is the chairman of the council,said the Council will spearhead a comprehensive countywide MHSSP needs assessment to generate reliable data for targeted, evidence-driven interventions.
He urged members to work collaboratively to ensure mental health services are mainstreamed across all health facilities to enhance accessibility and sustainability.
“Devolution has given counties the mandate to strengthen mental health services in line with national policies,” said the County Mental Health Focal Person, Robert Wasike. He added that Turkana has adequate human expertise to support mental health programming and emphasized the importance of community sensitization to ensure persons living with mental health conditions are treated with dignity and care.
Once fully operational, the Turkana County Mental Health Council is expected to provide a coordinated, evidence-driven framework for mental health planning and service delivery, laying a strong foundation for sustainable and integrated psychosocial support services across the county.
The launch was also attended by Kang’iro Stephen (Director for Alcohol and Substance Abuse Control), Sr. Doris (Diocese of Lodwar), Esther Kamasa (NACADA) and other member of the council are drawn from the chairman of the county education board, representatives of religous and the technical experts in the field.
