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The NEC

Best Team

Meet The NEC

Meet the National Executive Council providing strategic leadership and stewardship to the Kenya Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Mercy Karanja

President Emeritus

Dr. Mercy Karanja

President Emeritus

Dr. Mercy Karanja is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Head of the Division of Mental Health at Kenya’s Ministry of Health. She serves as Secretary to the Kenya Board of Mental Health and is the Immediate Past President of the Kenya Psychiatric Association (KPA). With over 20 years in medicine and 15 years in mental health, her expertise spans clinical care, policy, governance, capacity building, and health-systems strengthening, with a focus on suicide prevention and mental health promotion.

Dr. Priscilla Makau

President

Dr. Priscilla Makau

President

Dr. Priscilla Makau is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Kenya’s Ministry of Health, Division of Mental Health, and President of the Kenya Psychiatric Association. She has over 12 years of medical experience, including more than 9 years in mental health. Her expertise spans clinical psychiatry, mental health policy, advocacy, and health systems strengthening. She served as team lead in the development of Kenya’s National Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Common Mental Disorders, supporting the integration of mental health into primary healthcare. She has also served as Technical Assistant to the Presidential Advisor on Mental Health and as Secretariat to the National Taskforce on Mental Health.

Dr. Charlene Gumbo

General Secretary

Dr. Charlene Gumbo

General Secretary

I am a Consultant Psychiatrist with a focus on child and youth mental health. I am passionate about mentorship, capacity building, leadership, and collaboration, and I believe in creating opportunities for colleagues to grow and thrive. As Secretary General, I hope to strengthen professional connection, support development, and contribute to a more collaborative and impactful KPA.

Dr. Linda Nyamute

Vice President

Dr. Linda Nyamute

Vice President

Dr. Linda Nyamute is a Consultant Psychiatrist based in Kisumu and Vice President of the Kenya Psychiatric Association (KPA). She has a strong interest in mental health advocacy, policy and systems strengthening, and has played an active role in advancing professional development and public mental health initiatives. Her work focuses on strengthening the voice of psychiatry, improving access to quality mental health care, and fostering collaboration among mental health professionals.

Dr. Lawrence Nderi

Treasurer

Dr. Lawrence Nderi

Treasurer

Dr. Lawrence Nderi is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, with expertise in clinical psychiatry, research, mental health systems, and policy. He is also a lecturer at Aga Khan University and brings extensive research training from leading international institutions. His professional interests include strengthening mental health systems, policy development, research, mentorship, and advocacy. As KPA Treasurer, he is committed to promoting professional development, collaboration, and advancing quality psychiatric care across Kenya.

Dr. Leonard Njeru

CME Coordinator

Dr. Leonard Njeru

CME Coordinator

Dr. Leonard Njeru Njiru is a Specialist Psychiatrist based in Murang'a County. His expertise spans clinical psychiatry, medical education, health informatics, and clinical research. He serves as an adjunct university faculty member and mentors medical trainees. As CME Coordinator for the Kenya Psychiatric Association, he supports Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development initiatives. His interests include digital mental health, research capacity building, mentorship, and improving access to quality mental healthcare.

Dr. Mary Wangui Njuguna

NEC Member

Dr. Mary Wangui Njuguna

NEC Member

Dr. Mary Wangui Njuguna is a Consultant Psychiatrist with Kenya’s Ministry of Health, currently serving as Deputy Head of Clinical Services at Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital. She is a registered member and National Executive Committee (NEC) Board Member of the Kenya Psychiatric Association. Passionate about community psychiatry, she has led mental health awareness initiatives and supported integration into primary care. She is also an educator and trainer, contributing to psychiatry training, curriculum development, and policy.

Dr. Mohamed Aden Hillow

NEC Member

Dr. Mohamed Aden Hillow

NEC Member

Dr. Mohamed Aden Hillow is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, with expertise in clinical psychiatry, research, medical education, and professional advocacy. His interests include psychotic disorders, trauma-related conditions, community mental health, and strengthening psychiatric services in underserved settings. He is passionate about evidence-based practice, mentorship, capacity building, and improving access to quality mental healthcare. As Vice Secretary, he hopes to strengthen collaboration, support professional development, and advance psychiatry across Kenya.

Dr. Samuel Kamoche Njambi

NEC Member

Dr. Samuel Kamoche Njambi

NEC Member

Dr. Samuel Kamoche Njambi is a Psychiatrist at Kakamega County General Hospital and Kakamega County Mental Health Focal Person. He holds a Master of Medicine in Psychiatry from the University of Nairobi and is an Adjunct Lecturer at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). His interests include digital mental health, telepsychiatry, ECT, and mental-health systems strengthening. He is a newly appointed member of the Kenya Psychiatric Association (KPA) National Executive Committee (NEC).

Dr. Ajeel Vaja

NEC Member

Dr. Ajeel Vaja

NEC Member

Dr. Ajeel Vaja is a Consultant Psychiatrist with over 10 years of experience in medicine and holds MBChB and MMed (Psychiatry) qualifications. He is a newly elected member of the Kenya Psychiatric Association (KPA) National Executive Committee. Dr. Vaja is passionate about compassionate, professional, and evidence-based mental healthcare, with experience supporting diverse populations across a broad range of mental health concerns. He is committed to continuous learning, advocacy, and strengthening mental health awareness. Outside work, he enjoys travelling, hiking, and football.

Role of the NEC

Providing Leadership and Stewardship

The National Executive Council provides executive leadership to the Association and supports the implementation of decisions, programmes and strategic priorities of KPA.

Strategic Leadership

Guiding implementation of KPA's strategic priorities and institutional development.

Professional Development

Supporting scientific programmes, CPD, mentorship and advancement of psychiatric practice.

Policy & Advocacy

Representing the profession and contributing expertise to mental-health policy and public discourse.

Governance & Accountability

Promoting responsible stewardship, effective governance and accountability within the Association.

Role of the NEC

Our Leadership Priorities

The National Executive Council is committed to translating KPA’s Strategic Plan 2026–2030 into measurable action and impact.

Professional Excellence
Member Engagement
Mental Health Advocacy

Research & Knowledge
Partnerships
Institutional Strengthening

Explore the KPA Strategic Plan

Committees and portfolios

From Leadership to Action

KPA combines professional development, scientific exchange, advocacy and collaboration to advance psychiatry and improve mental healthcare.

02 Policy & Advocacy

Mental-health policy, stakeholder engagement and public advocacy.

Scientific & CPD

Scientific programmes, webinars, conferences and continuous professional development.

Research

Research collaboration, knowledge dissemination and scientific publications.

Membership & Welfare

Member engagement, professional welfare and member support.

The NEC

Best Team

Meet The NEC

Dr. Mercy Karanja

Dr. Priscilla Makau

Dr. Charlene Gumbo

Dr. Linda Nyamute

Dr. Lawrence Nderi

Dr. Leonard Njeru

Dr. Mary Wangui Njuguna

Dr. Mohamed Aden Hillow

Dr. Samuel Kamoche Njambi

Dr. Ajeel Vaja

Role of the NEC

Providing Leadership and Stewardship

Strategic Leadership

Professional Development

Policy & Advocacy

Governance & Accountability

Role of the NEC

Our Leadership Priorities

Committees and portfolios

From Leadership to Action

02

Policy & Advocacy

01

Scientific & CPD

03

Research

04

Membership & Welfare

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