Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has issued a stern warning against unruly behaviour in schools, linking it to deadly unrest and disruption of learning, saying the government will not tolerate such conduct.
He emphasised that any criminal activity within learning institutions remains unacceptable, regardless of the legitimacy of grievances raised by students.
“We will not tolerate, for whatever reason, irrespective of grievances, any criminality that leads to loss of lives, arson, destruction of property or any form of indiscipline,” the DP said.
On Tuesday, the DP met officials from the Ministry of Education, led by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, at Harambee House Annex in Nairobi for a briefing on recent school unrest.
Referring to the torching of a dormitory at Utumishi Girls High School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, where 16 students lost their lives, Kindiki said such loss of innocent lives was unacceptable under any circumstances.
He expressed concern over what he termed a growing wave of indiscipline in some senior schools, noting with regret that precious lives have been lost and property destroyed in the unrest.
However, he noted that the majority of schools across the country continue to operate normally, commending administrators and students who have maintained stability.
“We appreciate that 99 per cent of senior schools are going on well with learning. The overwhelming majority of schools are unaffected. Out of 9,500 schools, 3,200 are boarding schools, and those affected are a tiny minority,” the DP said.
Prof. Kindiki further said the Ministry of Education is engaging stakeholders to develop lasting solutions to recurring unrest in schools.
“The Ministry of Education will make its assessment on what needs to be done and engage stakeholders on policies that will improve safety of learners and the necessary administrative interventions to prevent school unrest,” he said.
He also noted that ongoing education reforms are being implemented as planned, citing progress in Competency-Based Education (CBE), which he said had previously faced implementation challenges before the current administration took office in 2022.
He added that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions are recording increased enrolment, while university funding systems are being streamlined to align with modern needs.
“We have made great progress in the implementation of education reforms. There were many complaints about the education sector ahead of the 2022 elections, but the President took decisive actions that have helped stabilise it,” the DP stated.
Also present at the meeting were Principal Secretaries Julius Bitok (Basic Education), Beatrice Inyangala (Higher Education), and Esther Mworia (Technical and Vocational Education and Training), alongside senior ministry officials.
