11-year-old chess prodigy hikes Mt. Kenya to raise mental health awareness

Christian Mugambi, an 11-year-old chess enthusiast, is among a group of mental health campaigners scaling Mt. Kenya to create awareness about the condition.

Christian says climbing Mt. Kenya is not just a physical challenge but a metaphorical climb, highlighting the need for mental health awareness and support in educational settings.

“In chess, every piece is important, just like every person’s mental health. Sometimes, feeling sad or scared is like a tough chess game. But every game has a way to win, we just need to find it. When I play chess, I carefully plan my moves to win. It’s the same with mental health. We need a plan to be better,” Christian said.

Christian is an ambassador for Mindful Kenya's ‘Mindful for Schools,’ a programme that entails screening children for mental health and offering the required treatment.

Mindful Kenya Chief Operations Officer Mercy Mwende expressed her admiration for Christian's efforts, saying he embodies “the spirit we want to instil in young minds — the importance of prioritising mental health from an early age.”

Also accompanying Christian was his chess teammate Jeshurun Oluchiri and his father Markben Oluchiri, who is the Econnet Africa director, and more than 50 other first-time hikers.

Representatives from the police force and healthcare workers were also part of the climb, symbolizing the mental health challenges in these high-stress professions.

Another participant, Andrew Lomosi, is the Director of Trisol Engineering who champions mental well-being in the energy sector. His presence highlighted the often-overlooked mental health challenges in technically demanding fields.

Thalia Psychotherapy Managing Partner Dennis Mwangi, who is also part of the team, said: “Each of us, regardless of our expertise in mental health, has our own battles. This climb is a testament to our shared human experience."

The initiative aims to inspire conversations, encourage empathy and promote understanding, paving the way for a world where mental health is as prioritised as physical health.