Prof Charles Kimamo

Prof. Charles Kimamo is the immediate former Head of the Department of Psychology at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. Currently, he is a visiting fellow collaborating with Prof. Robin Dunbar at the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford under the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) Visiting Fellowship programme.

Prof. Kimamo’s research focuses on mental health and preventive psychology, with a particular focus on community-led interventions. Over his career, he has supervised many postgraduate students, authored 33 journal articles, and contributed to eight book chapters. He holds a PhD in Psychology (Clinical- Developmental) from the University of Nairobi and has also completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing to sharpen his clinical skills. Recognised for his contributions to developmental psychology, he was among the first two graduates to earn a PhD from his department. At Oxford, Prof. Kimamo will work on his project titled "Using the 10 Households (Nyumba Kumi) Model to Promote Mental Health in Kenya." This research applies Dunbar’s theory on social group limits to restructure the Nyumba Kumi model, aiming to foster mental health awareness at the grassroots level. By training community leaders in mental health, the project hopes to create a sustainable support network within Kenyan communities, enhancing collective well-being and potentially transforming community mental health practices.