Fire break out at Kamwala Mixed School in Mwala, Machakos County, destroying the headteacher's office on June 13, 2026. [Daniel Mwongela, Standard]
A total of 462 learners were arrested, investigated, arraigned in court, bonded, remanded, counselled or processed in connection with student unrest incidents countrywide as at June 16.
Education Principal Secretary, John Ololtuaa, yesterday told Parliament that this was established after the Ministry, in collaboration with the National Police Service, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), County Security Committees and Boards of Management, initiated investigations into all reported incidents involving arson, attempted arson, vandalism and other criminal acts.
The offences under investigation included arson, attempted arson, threats of arson, planning and incitement of unrest, vandalism and destruction of property and other unrest-related offences.
The PS also said that 18 fatalities were reported in connection with fire incidents and cases of student unrest during the report period.
This came as the National Assembly Committee on Education, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, pushed the Ministry to explain a lasting solution to end the school unrest, particularly reported over the second term, in addition to addressing gaps in quality assurance.
“Nyanza, Eastern and Rift Valley Regions accounted for 328 learners, representing approximately 71 percent of all learners processed in connection with unrest-related incidents. Investigations remain ongoing in several cases, while many learners have already been released on bond, bail, counselling programmes or after completion of investigations. A smaller number remain subject to active court proceedings and other legal processes,” he said.
He said the Ministry is in the final stages of gazetting a Multi- Stakeholder Task Team on Unrest in Schools, with the team expected to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the causes of unrest in schools and make appropriate recommendations on sustainable interventions and policy measures aimed at preventing recurrence, strengthening school safety and promoting a conducive learning environment.