Fred Gori begins 450km mental health walk from Migori to Nairobi
By Trizer Lijondo, August 18, 2026Mental health advocate and Rongo University lecturer Fredrick Gori has begun a 450-kilometre walk from Migori to Nairobi, using the journey to push for mental health awareness in Kenya.
Gori set off from Migori on Tuesday, August 18, as part of his “Walking the Mind” campaign. The journey will take him through Homa Bay, Kisii, Nyamira, Bomet, Narok, Suswa Junction, Kimuka and Ngong before ending in Nairobi.
Before setting out, Gori engaged boda boda operators in Migori town in an early morning conversation about mental health. He said the interaction gave him an opportunity to listen to concerns from people within the community and discuss the need for more support.
“Early morning engagement with boda boda operators in Migori town about mental health before setting out for Rongo,” Gori wrote in an update shared on Tuesday.
According to Gori, the boda boda operators raised concerns about suicide cases in their villages and called for greater attention to counselling by the Migori County Government.
The engagement is part of Gori’s goal of taking mental health conversations to communities.
Migori marks start of Gori’s journey
Through the Walking the Mind campaign, Gori plans to meet young people, healthcare workers, county officials and other members of the public along the route. He will also present petitions to county governments, seeking stronger action and investment in mental health services.
Gori has previously said the campaign is intended to address issues including depression, anxiety, burnout, addiction and emotional distress. He has also called for Community Health Promoters to receive mental health first-response training and for stronger mental health coverage under the Social Health Authority.
Before the walk, Gori met Migori County officials, who he said expressed support for the initiative and received a petition on mental health.
For Gori, the 450-kilometre trek is more than a physical challenge. It is an effort to create conversations with people in different communities, listen to their experiences and encourage Kenyans to treat mental health as an important part of overall healthcare.
The campaign carries the message, “What if a conversation could save a life?” as Gori continues his journey towards Nairobi.