Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has revealed that 204 secondary schools across the country have experienced student unrest, prompting the government to roll out a raft of measures aimed at addressing the growing wave of indiscipline and preventing further tragedies.
In a statement issued amid heightened concern over school safety, Ogamba said reports received by the Ministry indicate that unrest has affected 204 senior schools, although learning has already resumed in many institutions.
“We have so far received reports of unrest affecting 204 senior schools across the country. Already, learners in 59 of these schools have since returned and resumed their studies, with more continuing to return,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that despite the incidents, the disruption remains limited when compared to the total number of schools nationwide.
“From our analysis of reports across the country, less than 2 per cent of the country’s senior schools have been affected by unrest, meaning that over 98 per cent of schools remain stable and continue normal operations,” Ogamba said.
He added that most of the affected institutions are boarding senior schools, while day senior schools have largely remained unaffected.
Ogamba said preliminary reviews point to multiple factors driving student unrest, including leadership challenges within schools, examination-related pressure, poor school conditions, and peer influence.
Ogamba said the unrest appears to be driven by a variety of factors, including leadership challenges in institutions; learner anxiety and examination-related stress; poor school conditions, especially in boarding sections; alcohol and drug abuse; strenuous school routines; peer influence and copycat behaviour, with learners demanding to be released early from school,” he said.
He reminded school heads that they have a legal obligation to address students’ concerns while guaranteeing their safety and security.
“Heads of Institution are reminded that it is their statutory and moral duty to ensure that any challenges are addressed in good time and that the safety and security of learners are guaranteed,” Ogamba stated.
The Education CS strongly condemned acts of violence, destruction of property, and incidents that endanger lives, saying such actions have no place in learning institutions.
His remarks come just days after the country was shaken by the Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire in Gilgil, where 16 students lost their lives after a blaze that investigators have since linked to arson.
Ogamba expressed condolences to the bereaved families and described the incident as a painful reminder of the consequences of school unrest.
“It is our duty – a sacrosanct one – to nurture our children in the values and virtues that will grow them into law-abiding and responsible citizens that will contribute meaningfully to the development – and not the destruction – of our great Republic,” he said.
The government has previously disclosed that eight students are being questioned over the Utumishi Girls fire as investigations continue.
To tackle the recurring problem, the Ministry announced the formation of a multi-stakeholder team to investigate the root causes of student unrest and recommend long-term solutions.
“To establish and address underlying causes of this perennial challenge of student unrest, we shall be forming a multi-stakeholder team to review the causes of unrest and make recommendations on strategies for stemming the challenge,” Ogamba said.
The ministry also directed schools to strengthen safety measures, intensify guidance and counselling programmes, and improve mechanisms for handling learners’ grievances.
County and Sub-County Education Offices have been instructed to conduct targeted safety assessments and audits while closely monitoring institutions considered to be at risk.
Parents and guardians have also been urged to use the upcoming mid-term break, scheduled from June 24 to June 28, 2026, to spend time with their children and provide guidance and support.
Parents and guardians are urged to use the break to spend time with their children and to provide guidance and support to them. Ogamba said any grievances or concerns should be articulated appropriately and shared with schools and other relevant authorities for action
Schools have additionally been directed to convene Parents Association meetings to review learner welfare and institutional challenges.
Looking ahead, Ogamba announced that the Ministry will rationalise the school calendar from the next academic year to ensure more balanced school terms.
The statement comes a day after changes at the Ministry of Education following a government reshuffle.
Former Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok was moved to the Ministry of Tourism, with John Lekakeny Ololtuaa taking over the Basic Education docket.
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