Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has sent a strong message to students engaging in unrest, saying the government will no longer look away. Speaking on Tuesday after a meeting with education officials in Nairobi, Kindiki warned that any criminal behavior in schools will be dealt with firmly, no matter the reasons students may have.
“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.
His warning comes after a series of unrest cases in several secondary schools across the country. The most painful incident happened at Utumishi Girls High School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, where a dormitory was set on fire, killing 16 students. Kindiki said the loss of innocent lives like that is something the country cannot accept under any circumstances.
He noted with sadness that what he called a “growing wave of indiscipline” in some senior schools has led to both deaths and destruction of property. However, he was quick to point out that the situation is not bad everywhere.
According to the DP, most schools in Kenya are running peacefully. He praised school administrators and students who have continued to maintain calm and order.
“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,” Kindiki explained.
He also said the Ministry of Education is already talking to different education stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the problem. The ministry will carry out its own assessment and then bring everyone together to discuss new policies that can improve the safety of learners.
On education reforms, Kindiki said things are moving well. He pointed out that the Competency Based Education (CBE) is being implemented as planned, even though it faced many challenges before the current government came to power in 2022.
He also mentioned that TVET institutions are now seeing more students enroll, and that university funding systems are being improved to match current 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.
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