Uhuru Orders Establishment of an Ultra-Modern Mental Hospital

President Kenyatta has issued an executive order establishing an ultra-modern mental hospital to address the rising cases of mental illness in the country.

Speaking during his 7th State-of-the-Nation address to a joint sitting of the Senate and National Assembly on Thursday, Uhuru said the medical facility will be named the East Africa Premier Mental Health facility.

“I have issued an Executive Order establishing an ultra-modern National Mental Health Hospital by elevating Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital as a semi-autonomous specialized hospital,” said Uhuru.

He said the facility will offer training and research in psychiatry, specialized psychiatric services, forensic psychiatric services, child and adolescent mental services and substance abuse-related and addictive disorders treatment, and rehabilitation services.

 “I shall be looking at this House to support the funding of this facility,” Uhuru told MPs.

Uhuru’s order comes months after a taskforce formed to establish the status of mental health among Kenyans submitted its report to the Health Ministry.

The report made a raft of recommendations including the declaration of mental health as a national disaster.

The taskforce chaired by Dr. Frank Njenga, a psychologist, found out that mental health issues are deep-rooted in the country and want it given the attention it deserves. The report estimated that one in ten Kenyans suffer from a common mental disorder.

The report further recommended the setting up of an independent Mental Health Commission to exclusively monitor Kenyans’ happiness levels and compile a report annually.

Uhuru ordered the formation of the taskforce last year amid increased cases of murder and suicide linked to depression and mental sickness.