Student Unrest Hits 204 Schools as Ministry Rules Out Calendar Overhaul

Student unrest has swept across 204 senior schools in Kenya, prompting the Ministry of Education to announce a series of measures aimed at addressing the rising cases of indiscipline. The incidents occurred in recent weeks, affecting institutions nationwide and triggering emergency responses from education officials.

To tackle the crisis, the government will establish a multi-stakeholder team to review the root causes of school unrest and propose long-term solutions. The ministry is directing schools to convene Parents Association meetings, strengthen guidance and counselling programmes, and improve learner grievance-handling mechanisms.

The second-term mid-term break for 2026 will proceed as scheduled from 24th to 28th June. The ministry urged parents to use the period to engage with their children and address any concerns rather than panic about the unrest.

Schools have been directed to carry out safety improvements while county and sub-county education offices will conduct safety audits in institutions considered at risk. The ministry said it will rationalise the school calendar starting next academic year to ensure more balanced learning terms.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok maintains there is no cause for alarm. He pointed out that out of all secondary schools in Kenya, fewer than 100 have faced unrest. Bitok insists the academic calendar will stay intact despite the disruptions.

Security agencies have warned that students are heavily leveraging social media and peer influence across county lines to coordinate the mass walkouts. The Ministry of Education responded with a sweeping 16-point directive ordering immediate nationwide inspections of all boarding schools.

The new directives include mandatory CCTV installations, decongestion of dormitories, and a ban on joint mock examinations. PS Bitok has deployed hundreds of additional school inspectors to monitor the situation across the country.

Some families receive urgent WhatsApp messages to collect their children, making the percentage 100 percent for them. The mid-term break is still over two weeks away for most students.

PS Bitok told anxious parents that 99.2 percent of schools are safe and learning is going on well. He stated fewer than 80 schools around the country have problems and they will not change term dates because of 80 schools.

A section of leaders called on the Ministry of Education to review the second-term school calendar following the rising cases of student unrest and school fires. But the government remains firm that the academic calendar will proceed as planned.

The unrest follows the death of 16 school learners at Utumishi Girls Academy in a suspected case of arson. Fresh waves of student unrest have hit schools with several institutions closed over the last month.

Reported schools closed due to student unrest include:

Alliance High School

Ambira High School

Loreto Girls' High School, Limuru

Lenana School

Saseta Girls' Secondary School

Barding Secondary School

Mang'u High School

State House Girls High School

Nakuru Girls High School

Naivasha Girls High School

Ingotse Boys High School

Mwasere Girls High School

Maanda High School

Moi Forces Academy Lanet

Tarakwa High School

St. Joseph Seminary Senior School Molo

Njoro Girls High School

Aggrey Boys High School

Kenyatta High School Mwatate

Moi Boys High School Voi

Eldoro Girls High School

Mahoo Girls High School

Mary's Lushangonyi Secondary School

Kangaru School

Kangaru Girls High School

Sacred Heart Kyeni Girls High School

Kimangaru Mixed Secondary School

Kavuthu Secondary School

Kyamuthei Secondary School

Nguumo High School

Kalama Secondary School

Kaumoni Boys High School

Maranda High School

Schools in Lari sub-county of Kiambu County, and several others were also among those shut down following the wave of unrest, totaling 204 as of June 11, 2026.