More Than 60 Schools Shut Down as Student Unrest Spreads Across Kenya

Kenya’s education sector is facing one of its most challenging moments in recent years after more than 60 secondary schools were temporarily closed following a wave of student unrest that has spread across several parts of the country.

The closures come in the aftermath of the tragic Utumishi Girls Academy fire in Gilgil that claimed the lives of 16 students, an incident that shocked the nation and triggered renewed concerns about safety, discipline, and student welfare in learning institutions. Since the tragedy, several schools have reported unrest, forcing administrators to send learners home as a precautionary measure to prevent further incidents.

Scenes of students leaving school compounds carrying luggage have become increasingly common in recent days, with parents being called upon to collect their children as institutions move to contain tensions. Among the affected institutions are schools in Kisii, Kitui, and other counties where administrators have cited security concerns and the need to restore calm before learning can fully resume.

Parents have expressed concern over the growing instability in schools, with many fearing that the unrest could escalate into more destructive incidents if urgent interventions are not implemented. Some have linked the closures to anxiety created by recent school fires and unrest witnessed across the country.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has weighed in on the crisis, arguing that the wave of school unrest reflects deeper societal challenges facing the country. According to the governor, students are increasingly mirroring the methods they see adults use to express dissatisfaction, including protests and acts of defiance. He also pointed to shortcomings in mentorship, guidance and counseling programmes, saying many schools are struggling to adequately support learners facing emotional and social pressures.

Natembeya further noted that the education system is undergoing significant transitions, particularly with the implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework. He argued that changing learner expectations, combined with limited counseling resources and mounting pressures within schools, may be contributing to the current unrest.

Despite the growing concern, Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has assured Kenyans that learning across the country remains largely uninterrupted. He emphasized that while a number of schools have experienced challenges, the vast majority of Kenya’s more than 52,000 learning institutions remain operational and safe.

The Education Ministry has maintained that there are currently no plans to alter the academic calendar, insisting that the unrest is confined to a relatively small number of schools. However, the rising number of closures has intensified calls for urgent action to address the root causes of student dissatisfaction and restore confidence in the education sector.

Education stakeholders are now urging the government to convene emergency consultations involving school administrators, teachers, parents, religious leaders, counselors, and students themselves to identify lasting solutions. Many believe that improving mental health support, strengthening guidance and counseling departments, and enhancing communication between students and school management will be critical in preventing further disruptions.

As the number of affected schools continues to rise, attention is now turning to the government’s next move. With thousands of students already back home and concerns growing among parents, many Kenyans are hoping authorities will act swiftly to restore stability and ensure that learning continues without further interruption.

The latest developments have once again highlighted the urgent need to address not only school safety but also the broader social and psychological challenges facing learners in an increasingly complex educational environment.