Trans Nzoia county director for human resources Emelda Agoi during the launch of a five-day mental health awareness training programme at the county Hall in Kitale on July 30, 2025
Trans
Nzoia is trying to help the increasing number of stressed county staff with
mental health challenges causing alcohol and drug abuse and undermining
performance.
The
county employs more than 3,500 workers, and the wellness initiative comes at a
time of heightened concern for employee welfare and workplace productivity.
Governor
George Natembeya’s administration has launched a five-day day mental health
awareness training programme to tackle psychological issues confronting county
staff.
The
awareness campaign, which began on Wednesday at the County Town Hall, brings
together public servants across departments.
The
goal is to equip employees with skills to manage stress, recognise mental
health issues and foster peer support in the workplace.
Assistant
county secretary Gideon Sawe described the mental disturbance trend among staff
as deeply troubling.
“This
training marks a new beginning for the county to confront these challenges
head-on and in a way that inspires lasting change,” he said during the
programme’s launch.
County
officials report an increase in mental distress among workers, including
substance abuse, prompting urgent implementation of the wellness initiative
under the Public Service Management directorate.
Emeldah
Agoi, county director of Human Resources, emphasised the need to treat mental
health with the same importance as physical health.
“We
need to be mentally healthy to perform effectively,” she said.
“This programme is part of a broader strategy
to ensure staff are well—physically, mentally and financially.”
Agoi
urged participants to become mental health ambassadors within their
departments.
“When
you open up, you begin to heal,” she said, also highlighting value of
self-driven recovery and peer-to-peer support.
Officers
from the human resource management department, who oversee the counselling
unit, clarified that the initiative is non-medical and is designed to empower
individuals to better handle personal challenges.
The
training addresses workplace issues such as financial strain, organisational change,
interpersonal conflicts and high-pressure deadlines.
The
programme also identified warning signs—including insomnia, absenteeism, poor
productivity, and substance use—that call for early intervention.
Director
of Administration Wycliffe Pakachin underscored the need to institutionalise
staff welfare programmes.
“It’s
not the load that breaks our backs, but how we carry it,” he said.
Pakachin
encouraged staff to consider professional counselling training and advocated
for mental health education to be embedded into career development.
As
the county prepares for the second phase of its performance management rollout,
senior officials emphasised that mental wellness is key to boosting morale and
enhancing service delivery.
Instant
analysis
Trans
Nzoia is taking a proactive approach to increasing mental health issues among
its 3,500 staff, highlighting a critical shift toward holistic employee
welfare. A five-day training programme addresses stress, alcohol and drug
abuse, as well as workplace pressures, emphasising that mental health is as
important as physical well-being. By empowering staff with stress management
tools and promoting peer support, the initiative aims to improve morale and
productivity. Challenges such as financial hardship and organisational change
are openly tackled.