Kenya is taking urgent steps to confront a fast-growing mental health emergency as the Ministry of Health rolls out a comprehensive response to rising cases of gambling addiction, particularly among the youth.
What was once seen as a private vice has now escalated into a national crisis, prompting the formation of a Rapid Response Team tasked with delivering coordinated support across sectors from education and health to social services and community outreach.
The Ministry’s alarm was triggered by a surge in online gambling, with platforms such as Aviator drawing in thousands of young people daily, many of whom are now facing devastating personal consequences.
“The Ministry of Health, through the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, has noted with deep concern the increasing cases of gambling addiction in the country, particularly among young people, driven by the growing popularity of online platforms such as Aviator,” said Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni.
The new task force is set to launch a national helpline offering real-time assistance for those battling gambling addiction. Additionally, teams of trained counselors will begin visiting schools and colleges to provide psychosocial support and early intervention where needed.
“The Ministry will support a multi-agency study to assess the prevalence and full impact of gambling addiction in Kenya, with a view to informing effective policy and programmatic responses,” PS Muthoni added.
The move comes amid growing evidence that gambling addiction is triggering a chain of personal crises, debt, isolation, mental illness, and in some tragic cases, suicide.
“Many young Kenyans are falling into severe gambling addiction, leading to financial distress, deteriorating mental health, and, tragically, incidents of suicide,” the Principal Secretary said.
Alongside school-based counseling and a national helpline, the Ministry also plans to lead public education campaigns that warn of the dangers of online betting, treating it not as a moral failure but as a health issue that needs awareness, support, and treatment.
This marks a shift in how Kenya is choosing to tackle addiction not as a criminal or behavioral issue, but as a medical and societal one that demands urgency and empathy.
