04/08/2026
We are proud to have participated in a landmark convening shaping the future of Kenya’s civil society sector following the operationalization of the Public Benefits Organizations (PBO) Act, 2013 and the PBO Regulations, 2026.
As AYAN-Kenya, we joined fellow actors in the mental health ecosystem under the leadership of Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Kenya to explore the establishment of a Mental Health Federation Forum.
This moment marks a critical shift from fragmented efforts to coordinated, self-regulated sectoral governance. The proposed federation model presents an opportunity to:
1. Strengthen accountability and shared standards of practice
2. Develop a unified code of conduct across mental health actors
3. Enhance safeguarding and protection mechanisms for beneficiaries
4. Build institutional credibility and public trust
For us at AYAN Kenya, this aligns strongly with our commitment to youth-centered, rights-based, and inclusive mental health programming, particularly for adolescents, young women, and LGBTQ communities.
We are especially encouraged by the collective commitment from diverse stakeholders including The East African Centre for Human Rights - EACHRights, Mental 360, Physicians for Human Rights, and other partners towards building a cohesive and impactful mental health ecosystem.
As next steps unfold, we look forward to contributing to the development of the constitutive framework, governance structures, and sector-wide standards that will define this federation.
This is more than a policy shift it is a systems transformation moment for mental health in Kenya.
Girls for Girls Africa Mental Health Foundation Tinada Youth Action Africa