Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has announced the formation of a multi-stakeholder team to tackle the rising wave of student unrest and school fires that have disrupted learning across Kenya.
The move comes after hundreds of schools experienced protests, dormitory fires, and violent demonstrations, exposing deep-rooted challenges within the country's education system.
While the government hopes the new task force will identify lasting solutions, the initiative also raises questions about why previous interventions have failed to stop recurring unrest that continues to threaten students' safety and academic progress.
Ogamba Announces Multi-Stakeholder Team to Address School Unrest as Crisis Deepens
Speaking during an event in Meru County on Sunday, June 28, Education CS Julius Ogamba said the government had agreed to establish a broad-based task force bringing together all key education stakeholders.
The committee will include parents, teachers, religious leaders, school sponsors, education experts, and government officials.
According to Ogamba, the objective is to examine the underlying causes of student unrest and recommend practical measures that can restore discipline while improving the learning environment in secondary schools.
"We've agreed that we are going to form a multi-stakeholder team to discuss the issues that are affecting our students in all our schools," Ogamba said.
He insisted that no single institution can solve the crisis alone.
Instead, he called for a united effort involving parents, schools, communities, religious organisations, and government agencies to develop sustainable solutions.
"We want all of us as stakeholders in the education sector, from parents, from the government, from teachers, from the people in the religious sector and sponsors, to come together so that we can ensure that we get a solution to this perennial problem that is affecting our children," he added.
The announcement reflects growing concern within government over the increasing frequency of school unrest that has disrupted learning in many parts of the country.
School Fires and Student Protests Continue to Raise Alarm
The task force comes at a time when schools across Kenya are experiencing one of the most serious waves of unrest in recent years.
Several institutions have reported dormitory fires, destruction of school property, and student demonstrations that forced administrators to suspend learning.
One of the deadliest incidents occurred at Utemisghi Girls' Academy in Gilgil, where a dormitory fire claimed the lives of 16 students, sending shockwaves across the country and renewing calls for stronger safety measures in boarding schools.
Beyond that tragedy, more than 200 schools have reportedly closed temporarily following protests and arson attacks by students demanding changes in school management and learning conditions.
| Recent School Unrest Indicators | Status |
|---|---|
| Government response | Multi-stakeholder task force |
| Stakeholders involved | Parents, teachers, government, sponsors, religious leaders |
| Schools affected | More than 200 |
| Major concern | School fires and student unrest |
| Goal | Restore discipline and improve learning environment |
The repeated incidents have raised difficult questions about student welfare, discipline, mental health, communication between learners and school administrators, and the effectiveness of existing guidance systems.
Ministry Pushes Parents and Schools to Act Early
Ogamba's latest announcement builds on measures the Ministry of Education introduced several weeks ago after the unrest intensified.
The ministry directed all schools to urgently convene Parents Association meetings to review learners' welfare and assess conditions within their institutions.
School administrators were instructed to work closely with parents and teachers to identify emerging concerns before they escalate into major disciplinary incidents.
The ministry also ordered schools to strengthen guidance and counselling programmes to ensure students have access to professional support whenever they face academic, emotional, or social challenges.
In addition, learning institutions have been directed to establish stronger grievance-handling mechanisms that allow students to raise concerns through structured and peaceful channels instead of resorting to protests or destruction of property.
The ministry further instructed school management teams to improve safety measures and respond promptly to legitimate student concerns in order to create a more secure and supportive learning environment.
School Unrest Response Timeline
Growing unrest
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School fires and protests increase
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Parents Association meetings ordered
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Guidance and counselling strengthened
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Multi-stakeholder task force announced
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Recommendations expected to address root causesThe formation of the multi-stakeholder team represents the government's latest attempt to confront a challenge that has persisted for years despite repeated policy interventions.
Whether the new approach succeeds will depend on more than identifying the causes of unrest.
The recommendations must translate into practical reforms that improve student welfare, strengthen school leadership, enhance communication, and rebuild confidence among parents, teachers, and learners.
With school fires and protests continuing to disrupt education, stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the task force delivers lasting solutions or simply becomes another committee examining a crisis that has repeatedly resurfaced.
