Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has come under heavy criticism following his recent remarks linking the activism of young Kenyans on social media to mental health struggles.
His statement has sparked outrage among human rights organizations and advocacy groups, who have condemned his words and issued demands for corrective action.
Inuka Kenya ni Sisi, a lobby group dedicated to the well-being of civic actors in East Africa, strongly criticized Murkomen’s remarks, arguing that they were not only misleading but also contributed to the stigma surrounding mental health.
The organization expressed concern that such statements could undermine the progress made in promoting mental wellness across the country.
A statement signed by Inuka Kenya ni Sisi’s Chief Executive Officer, Kawive Wambua, and seen by Newshub.co.ke, emphasized that the CS’s comments were harmful.
The group insisted that the remarks painted an unfair picture of young people struggling with mental health conditions and could discourage those in need from seeking help.
“We are deeply concerned about the recent remarks made by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen during a church service and anniversary celebration at AIC Makutano in North Imenti on Sunday, March 30, 2025,” the statement read in part.
“His claim that many young people posting ‘hateful messages’ online are suffering from mental health issues caused by drug and alcohol addiction is not only inaccurate but also harmful. Such statements fuel the stigma against those seeking mental health support. They create an environment where people struggling with mental illness are unfairly profiled instead of being offered the care and understanding they need. This kind of rhetoric threatens to undo the progress made in mental health awareness and access to treatment in Kenya,” the statement added.
Lobby Group Issues Demands
Following the controversy, the lobby group called on Murkomen to publicly apologize for his remarks and commit to supporting government efforts in fully implementing mental health policies, including recommendations from the National Mental Health Action Plan and the Mental Health Task Force.
“In light of these concerns, we urge the Cabinet Secretary to immediately and unconditionally apologize to young people struggling with mental health conditions, as well as to the entire nation, for his stigmatizing remarks,” the organization demanded.
The group further urged government officials to refrain from making blanket statements that stereotype mental health patients. Instead, they called for more focus on solutions that would improve mental healthcare services and awareness in Kenya.
Additionally, Inuka Kenya ni Sisi pressed Murkomen to advocate for a substantial increase in the government’s mental health budget, proposing that the current allocation of 0.04% be raised to at least 5%, in line with recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“The government should develop a national program aimed at strengthening mental health infrastructure. This would ensure that Kenyans have better access to treatment and rehabilitation services, regardless of their location,” the statement further stated.
Mental Health Experts Raise Concerns
Experts in the mental health field have long raised alarm over the government’s underinvestment in the sector.
The shortage of mental health facilities, trained personnel, and essential medical supplies has left many Kenyans without the support they need.
Widespread stigma and a lack of public awareness have also contributed to the crisis, preventing many people from seeking professional help for mental health conditions.
According to official statistics, mental health disorders account for a significant portion of Kenya’s disease burden, making up 13% of all health conditions.
The Kenya Mental Health Policy (2015-2030) indicates that 25% of outpatients and 40% of inpatients in hospitals suffer from mental illness.
Advocacy groups continue to urge the government to take mental health seriously by investing in infrastructure, increasing funding, and launching nationwide awareness campaigns to combat stigma and misinformation.
Join Gen z and millennials TaskForce official 2025 WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time the ongoing situation https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
