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.
