Dr. Mercy Karanja is the Deputy Director of Medical Services, and the National Focal Person for Substance Use Management at the Ministry of Health. She is also the Head of Clinical Services at the Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital. She represents the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council. Dr. Karanja is a Consultant Psychiatrist with over 10 years of progressive experience in the management of mental health and substance use disorders. She is also an experienced National Trainer in the field of addiction in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). She has participated in reviewing and developing several mental health and substance use management policies and documents in Kenya. She holds a Masters of Medicine in Psychiatry (M. Med. Psychiatry) and a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (M.B.Ch.B) both from the University of Nairobi. In addition, she has extensive training in addiction management, cognitive behavioral therapy, medically assisted therapy, leadership, and management from international universities.