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More than 44 per cent of Kenyan adolescents experience at least one mental health challenge. [Courtesy]
Every national budget is a statement of priorities and a reflection of what a nation values most. Kenya's 2026/2027 budget, however, sends a troubling message: While many sectors receive visible and dedicated investment, mental health remains without a clearly identifiable, ring-fenced national allocation despite its immense human, social, and economic significance.
This omission raises a fundamental question: Do we, as a nation, truly recognise mental health as a cornerstone of sustainable development, or do we continue to acknowledge its importance only after tragedy strikes? The recent wave of school unrest should prompt far more than conversations about discipline and security. They should compel us to reflect on the emotional well-being of our young people, the mounting psychosocial pressures they face, and the urgent need for stronger prevention and early intervention systems. While the causes of school unrest are complex and multifaceted, they underscore a broader reality: Neglect of mental health and psychosocial well-being reverberates through families, schools, communities, and ultimately the nation's economy.
