Our Board of Directors

Dr. Gitonga’s journey into psychiatry was deeply influenced by personal encounters during his medical training, where he observed firsthand the profound stigma and poor treatment endured by individuals with mental illness. These experiences ignited a passion to pursue psychiatry, with a clear goal to ease suffering and empower patients to achieve their full potential. Motivated by a vision of a world where mental health is universally prioritized, he actively sought partnerships across academia, the corporate sector, NGOs, and government bodies. A tireless champion for Mental Health and Wellness, Dr. Gitonga was deeply committed to dismantling the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness. He strongly believed that mental healthcare should be accessible to everyone and worked diligently to eliminate the obstacles that prevent people from seeking support. His broader dream for Kenya was a healthier nation where preventable diseases are reduced, and both communicable and non-communicable illnesses are well managed. This vision inspired the creation of Akili Health Alliance—an NGO he co-founded with like-minded friends—which currently spearheads the Responsible Gambling Initiative to promote mental health and wellbeing across the country. He collaborates with the Kenya Red Cross and other health institutions in this noble initiative.