Prof. David Ndetei

Professor David M. Ndetei received his first degree, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), from the University of Nairobi in 1975. In 1980 he received a Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych) in the United Kingdom, followed by a PhD from the University of Nairobi in 1985. Later, in 2004, he was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (FRCPsych), and in 2013, a Doctor of Science (DSc) from the University of Nairobi.

He is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Nairobi, a position he has held since 1995, and the Founding Director of the Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health (AFRIMEB).

His work at AFRIMEB involves conducting innovative implementation research that seeks to inform the provision of affordable, appropriate, available, and accessible mental health services in primary healthcare with a focus on the following areas: community mental health; incorporating mental health in the treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension; mother-child health; early childhood development; school mental health including substance use and suicide.

He has been the PI or Co-I of most Kenyan-published clinical and community epidemiological studies on mental health and substance abuse which are the basis for practice in Kenya. He has authored six books, 21 monographs, and over 426 publications in peer-reviewed Journals.

He is dedicated to advancing psychiatric education and training in Kenya. He has mentored numerous graduate and postgraduate students (Masters, PhDs, DScs, post-docs).  He was instrumental in the development of various specialized programs at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi.  He has been a mentor to students from various parts of the World who wanted exposure to community-based mental health.  

Under his leadership, AFRIMEB has become a leading center in the region for mental health and brain health research, collaborating with professionals and research from across the globe.  

He is ranked the 2nd Best Social Sciences and Humanities Scientist in Kenya. https://research.com/scientists-rankings/social-sciences-and-humanities/ke.

‍