By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
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Kenya, 8 June 2026 - Kenya's education sector is staring at a growing crisis following a fresh wave of dormitory fires, student unrest and precautionary school closures that have unsettled parents, teachers and education officials across the country.
The alarm was sounded on Monday by KUPPET National Chairman and Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba, who urged Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok to convene an emergency stakeholders' meeting by Friday to address what he described as an escalating threat to learning and student safety.
Speaking in Vihiga County, Milemba said the growing cases of dormitory fires, student protests and school disruptions had reached alarming levels and demanded immediate national attention.
He noted that several boarding schools had either sent students home following incidents of unrest or released learners as a precautionary measure amid fears of similar disturbances.
"The rising cases of dormitory fires, student unrest and school disruptions across the country have become a serious concern that can no longer be ignored," Milemba said.
He proposed a broad-based forum bringing together church leaders, parents, teachers, school boards, education officials and opinion leaders to interrogate the root causes of the unrest and formulate long-term solutions.
"Let us bring together all stakeholders to openly discuss these challenges and develop lasting solutions to this growing menace in our boarding schools," he said.
Milemba further warned that should the disturbances continue unabated, the Ministry of Education may have little choice but to consider a short nationwide break to create room for consultations and interventions.
Backing the call, KUPPET Secretary-General Akello Misori cautioned that the unrest was spreading across learning institutions at a worrying rate and called on school administrators to intensify surveillance and undertake thorough situation analyses within their schools.
Misori urged principals and teachers to detect signs of tension early and act decisively before situations degenerate into violence and destruction.
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"School administrators must remain vigilant and carry out thorough assessments of the situation in their institutions. Where there are clear signs of tension, anxiety or possible unrest, they should take appropriate preventive measures, including releasing learners where necessary and in consultation with education authorities," he said.
The KUPPET Secretary-General argued that the disturbances should not be viewed merely as acts of indiscipline but as symptoms of deeper underlying challenges affecting learners.
"What we are witnessing is not merely indiscipline. There are underlying issues that must be interrogated. Parents, teachers, church leaders and government officials must come together and listen to our learners. We need lasting solutions rather than reactive measures after destruction has already occurred," he added.
Meanwhile, parents in Vihiga County appeared increasingly anxious and largely at a loss over the unfolding developments. Many admitted they were struggling to understand what was driving the unrest and called on the government to strengthen security patrols around schools, particularly during night hours when most incidents have occurred.
The parents also appealed to religious leaders and communities to dedicate time to prayer for learners, saying the country was witnessing a troubling trend that required both practical and spiritual intervention.
Their concerns come amid reports of unrest, suspected arson attempts and student demonstrations in several schools across the country, threatening to disrupt the academic calendar and undermine gains made in the education sector.
Although the Ministry of Education has yet to respond directly to the latest calls, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba last week announced that quality assurance officers had been deployed to investigate the disturbances and cautioned principals against panic closures without the approval of County Directors of Education.
As concern spreads from one county to another, pressure is mounting on education authorities to move swiftly. The message from teachers, parents and school leaders is increasingly unanimous: the unrest can no longer be treated as isolated incidents. It has become a national challenge demanding urgent, coordinated and decisive action before more schools descend into chaos.