KMTC hosts Africa-wide mental health leadership forum as Kenya pushes for integration of care into primary health systems



A strong policy voice anchored the mental health discourse during a high-level forum organised by the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), where the Principal Secretary for Health delivered pointed remarks that elevated mental health from advocacy to a national development priority.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health Kenya underscored that Kenya is steadily moving toward integrating mental health into primary healthcare as part of the broader Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. she noted that mental health can no longer be treated as a specialised or isolated service, but must be made accessible at community level where the need is greatest.
The ministry raised concern over the growing burden of mental health conditions in the country, pointing to rising cases of depression, substance use disorders, and stress-related illnesses, particularly among young people. The governmen, is prioritising early detection, prevention, and community-based care as key pillars in addressing the crisis.

In aligning Kenya’s efforts with continental reforms, the Government has highlighted ongoing initiatives led by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, noting that the Regional Mental Health Leadership Programme is a timely intervention in building a new generation of leaders across health, education, and media sectors.
Importantly, the PS echoed the forum’s call for mental health training for journalists, acknowledging the media’s powerful role in shaping public perception. He noted that responsible reporting can help dismantle stigma, promote help-seeking behaviour, and strengthen national awareness campaigns. The Ministry, he added, is open to partnerships that equip journalists with skills for accurate and sensitive mental health coverage.

“We must move from silence and stigma to awareness and support,” he stated, adding that mental health conversations must be normalised in homes, schools, workplaces, and across media platforms.

At the same forum, KMTC reinforced its growing role as a regional training hub after hosting a new cohort under the Africa Mental Health Leadership Programme (AMHLP). The intake brings together participants from 17 African countries, forming a continental network of professionals tasked with reshaping mental health systems.
KMTC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kelly Oluoch said the timing of the programme is particularly significant, coming ahead of the upcoming World Health Summit in Nairobi, which places Kenya at the centre of global health dialogue.

He noted that the convergence of the leadership programme and the international summit presents a rare opportunity for Africa to influence global health priorities, especially on mental health, which has long suffered from underinvestment.

“At KMTC, our mandate is clear. We train health professionals, support research, and provide solutions that respond to the health needs of the population. This programme fits directly within that mandate,” Dr. Oluoch said.

He emphasized that mental health is no longer a peripheral issue but a core pillar of health system resilience, especially as African countries grapple with rising psychosocial challenges.

The programme, supported by Africa CDC, brings together clinicians, policymakers, researchers, and public health practitioners to share experiences and develop context-specific solutions. Experts say the exposure to diverse health systems across the continent will strengthen collaboration and accelerate reforms in community and primary healthcare delivery.

As the forum concluded, both government and KMTC leadership called for a whole-of-society approach, urging institutions, professionals, and the media to work together in advancing mental health advocacy.
The discussions reinforced a clear message: Kenya’s mental health agenda is no longer just a health sector issue—it is a national and continental priority, with KMTC increasingly positioned at the centre of Africa’s leadership transformation in mental health.

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