Parliament Launches Probe Into Rising School Fires and Student Unrest as Over 200 Schools Affected
Kenya’s Parliament has launched a far-reaching investigation into the growing wave of school fires, destruction of property, and student unrest that has swept through learning institutions across the country, raising concerns over student welfare, school safety, and the state of the education sector.
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education resolved to undertake a comprehensive inquiry following reports that at least 204 schools have experienced unrest this year, with 47 fire incidents recorded since January, according to data presented by the Kenya Red Cross.
The decision was reached during a committee meeting chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, where lawmakers expressed concern over the increasing frequency of incidents disrupting learning and threatening the safety of students and staff.
Speaking during the deliberations, Melly said the inquiry would seek to establish the root causes of the recurring unrest and formulate recommendations aimed at restoring stability in schools nationwide.
“We need to come up with a way forward on how we are going to look into school unrest across the country,” Melly stated.
The committee heard that a combination of factors could be contributing to the unrest, including overcrowding in schools, the commercialisation of education, drug and substance abuse, inadequate learner support systems, poor communication between students and school administrations, and changing societal dynamics.
Melly warned that many learners are growing up without adequate guidance and are increasingly being influenced by external factors, including social media.
“We are producing children who are not adequately guided at home and are heavily influenced by social media and other external factors,” he said.
During the meeting, lawmakers were also briefed on findings from previous studies, audits, and assessments conducted on school safety and student behaviour. The committee’s research unit highlighted persistent concerns over fire safety preparedness in learning institutions.
The briefing comes amid renewed scrutiny of safety standards in schools following a recent Ministry of Education assessment that revealed widespread non-compliance with prescribed safety regulations.
According to the assessment, several schools were found to have overcrowded dormitories, inadequate emergency exits, weak emergency response mechanisms, and deficiencies in critical safety infrastructure.
Legislators warned that unless these issues are addressed urgently, schools could remain vulnerable to future tragedies and unrest.
Mandera South MP Abdul Haro urged policymakers not to view student unrest solely through the lens of discipline, arguing that the incidents reflect deeper societal and educational challenges facing young people.
He noted that many students are grappling with social pressures, mental health concerns, and changing expectations within the education system.
The committee has now directed its secretariat to compile all previous reports, audits, and inquiries into school unrest to ensure lessons from earlier investigations are incorporated into the current probe.
Melly noted that past parliamentary inquiries had led to significant reforms within the education sector and expressed confidence that the latest investigation would help guide policy interventions.
“This Committee has been a guide to the Ministry of Education on issues of policy and direction,” he said.
The parliamentary inquiry is expected to examine both immediate and long-term causes of unrest, with lawmakers seeking solutions that address student welfare, school management practices, safety standards, and broader societal influences affecting learners.
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