Spike in mental health cases recorded, as Nakuru West tops the list

Mental health remains a pressing but often silenced issue. As Nakuru City continues to grow, so do the stresses of urban life, unemployment, substance abuse, and family instability — all of which weigh heavily on the mental well-being of residents.

Yet stigma still holds many people back from seeking help, and access to quality mental health services remains limited for most.
According to Lydia Ng’ang’a, the County Mental Health Coordinator (CMHC), in recent years, more people in Nakuru and neighbouring counties are actively seeking mental health support.

Over 8,600 people sought help in 2024, a noticeable increase from the previous years, with 2023 and 2022 each recording over 7,500 cases. Notably, 2023 had a slightly higher figure, indicating a steady upward trend.

“With rising numbers, we are confident that mental health education is having an impact both in the city center and at the grassroots level, encouraging more people to seek help. We are currently piloting a tool to better specify and track the conditions being reported, beyond the blanket term ‘mental illness’ that has been used in most community-based reporting and verification systems. Nakuru now ranks among the leading counties in mental health cases, following closely behind Murang’a and Nairobi,” she says.

Within the county, Lydia notes that Nakuru West Sub-county leads in reported mental health cases, with over 4,000 people seeking support. This is followed by Naivasha, with over 1,600 cases, and Gilgil, with more than 700 cases.

She acknowledges that while the number of mental health specialists remains low, there is growing appreciation for the dedication of the existing medical staff and available resources, which continue to serve both Nakuru County and neighbouring regions.

“We currently have only five psychiatrists, 25 psychiatric nurses, eight psychologists, and six medical social workers. In addition to these specialists, the county operates two main psychiatric units: one at Nakuru PGH with an 80-bed capacity (40 for men, 40 for women), and another in Gilgil with 90 beds. These facilities support not only Nakuru residents but also patients from Baringo, Nyandarua, and Laikipia,” says Lydia.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, with this year’s theme “Turn Awareness into Action,” several campaigns have been rolled out to boost awareness in both workplaces and communities.

“We are currently running a workplace initiative aimed at improving care among our medical staff and community health workers. This includes helping them better understand their mental well-being and how to provide compassionate care to patients. We are also encouraging them to engage in self-care practices as part of creating a healthier work environment,” she adds.

Community events are also lined up, including one in Kiptangwanyi, Gilgil sub-county, and outreach activities by multidisciplinary mental health teams in various sub-counties.

Community Health Promoters (CHPs) are also leading more dialogue days to engage residents at the grassroots level.
Lydia notes that while the county currently aligns with the national mental health policy, it is in the process of developing its own Strategic Mental Health Action Plan to guide future planning and interventions.

Other sub-counties significantly affected by mental health issues include Rongai, Nakuru East, Njoro, Subukia, Kuresoi North, Molo, Kuresoi South, and Bahati, in that order.
For anyone struggling, remember: you are not alone.

Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional for support. Help is available, and seeking it is a sign of strength.