This archive report was first published on 21 November 2019.
On Thursday, President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the Ministry of Health to establish a taskforce on the status of mental health in the country, as reported on November 21, 2019.
The taskforce, which will be established within 90 days, will be tasked with coming up with new policies to address the growing concerns about mental health among Kenyans.
President Kenyatta's order comes in the wake of a series of tragic events, including the murder of Major Peter Mugure's estranged wife Joyce Syombua and their two children, as well as the case of Joseph Muchiri, who committed suicide following the commencement of investigations into the brutal murder of his wife Faith Wangui.
The Cabinet also approved the establishment of Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital and the designation of Gilgil Hospital as a satellite mental health facility of Mathari.
