CS Ogamba Forms Probe Team as School Unrest Crisis Spreads to 204 Institutions Nationwide
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has announced the formation of a special multi-stakeholder committee to investigate the growing wave of unrest in Kenyan schools after reports indicated that at least 204 institutions have been affected by various incidents of indiscipline and disturbances across the country.
Speaking at Jogoo House on Wednesday, the CS said the government was deeply concerned by the increasing cases of student unrest, some of which have resulted in destruction of property, disruption of learning programmes, and heightened anxiety among parents and school administrators.
Ogamba said the Ministry of Education was treating the situation as a matter of national concern and would move swiftly to identify the root causes behind the disturbances.
“We shall be forming a multi-stakeholder team to look into the issues and causes of unrest and make recommendations on strategies for containing this challenge,” Ogamba announced.
The committee is expected to bring together key players in the education sector, including school administrators, teachers, parents, religious leaders, psychologists, and government agencies, with the aim of establishing why incidents of unrest have become increasingly common in learning institutions.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that while students may have genuine concerns regarding issues affecting their welfare and learning environment, destruction of school property and acts of violence could never be accepted as a solution.
“There can be no justification whatsoever for acts of arson, vandalism, violence, or any conduct that puts lives at risk and destroys public or private property,” he said.
Ogamba further reminded principals and heads of institutions that they have a critical responsibility to address learners’ concerns promptly before they escalate into major confrontations.
He urged school administrators to strengthen communication channels within schools and create environments where students can freely express grievances through established mechanisms.
At the same time, learners were encouraged to embrace dialogue and lawful means of resolving disputes rather than resorting to destructive behaviour.
The CS issued a stern warning that individuals found responsible for criminal activities, including arson attacks and deliberate destruction of school facilities, would face the full force of the law.
His remarks come amid growing concern over a surge in school unrest incidents reported in various parts of the country, reigniting debate about student welfare, mental health challenges, disciplinary approaches, academic pressure, and the effectiveness of existing grievance-handling mechanisms in schools.
The findings and recommendations of the newly formed committee are expected to guide future government interventions aimed at restoring discipline, improving learner welfare, and ensuring a stable learning environment across Kenya’s education sector.
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