Old Mutual has launched a digital wellness platform aimed at tackling Kenya’s growing burnout and lifestyle health crisis, as the economic toll of stress-related conditions spike.
- •The new app, called Thrive, integrates physical, mental, nutritional, and financial well-being tools into a single digital platform.
- •Its rollout comes amid mounting evidence that workplace fatigue and lifestyle diseases are eroding productivity and public health.
- •Government data estimates that workplace burnout costs the economy more than KSh 50 billion annually in lost productivity, while mental health conditions account for an additional KSh 62.2 billion — nearly 0.6% of GDP.
“Thrive is more than a wellness tool; it’s a step towards reshaping how we think about everyday health and resilience. Our vision is to empower individuals to take small steps that build into lasting change, helping not only themselves, but their families, workplaces, and communities to thrive,” said Old Mutual Group CEO Arthur Oginga.
More than 3.7 million Kenyans are believed to be living with stress-related disorders, underscoring the scale of the problem. Surveys also show that burnout is particularly acute among professionals in middle and senior management, driven by long hours, financial stress, and poor nutrition. These pressures have translated into higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and anxiety, putting further strain on households and employers alike.
Thrive seeks to consolidate previously fragmented wellness tools, from financial planning to mindfulness and nutrition tracking, into a single mobile platform. Users can track spending habits, monitor mental well-being through journaling and guided breathing, and manage diet through food diaries and meal planning features.
“The app converts everyday lifestyle choices into measurable milestones, aiming to make wellbeing accessible and rewarding for all Kenyan users,” Oginga added.
Old Mutual’s move reflects a broader push by financial institutions to expand beyond traditional services and into preventive wellness technology. By addressing chronic stress and poor financial habits simultaneously, the company aims to reduce the underlying causes of declining workplace productivity.
The platform is available for download on Android and iOS devices and forms part of Old Mutual’s wider digital transformation strategy in East Africa.
