A wave of student unrest that has disrupted learning in several schools across Narok County has prompted education and security stakeholders to roll out a raft of measures aimed at restoring stability and safeguarding learners.
Enhanced guidance and counseling programs, stronger communication between students and school administrations, improved school security, regular emergency preparedness drills, and increased parental involvement have emerged as key interventions following growing concern over recent strikes, riots, and a dormitory fire reported in the county.
The recommendations were agreed upon during a consultative forum that brought together education and security stakeholders across the county.
Speaking during a meeting of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) at Narok Boys High School yesterday, the area county commissioner, Kipkech Lotiatia, assured residents that concerted efforts were underway to restore calm in schools and prevent further disruptions.
He said the forum, which brought together school principals, teachers’ union representatives, education officers, and security officials, had developed practical recommendations aimed at addressing the root causes of unrest while strengthening safety measures in schools.
To improve preparedness and safeguard learners, schools have been advised to enhance emergency response mechanisms, including conducting regular fire drills and establishing clearly designated assembly points in the event of emergencies.
The county commissioner disclosed that approximately 15 schools in the county had recently experienced varying forms of unrest, prompting some boards of management to temporarily release students and allow parents to engage with them.
“Some of these institutions were experiencing commotion, while some learners were agitating to go home because of the midterm holiday. School boards found it necessary to release them temporarily and have them return with their parents,” said Kipkech.
Despite the disturbances, he noted that the affected schools recorded minimal destruction of property, with only one institution suffering a major incident in which a dormitory was destroyed by fire.
“Out of the affected schools, we have not witnessed widespread destruction of property. We only had one incident in Narok East where a dormitory at Eor-Ekule Mixed Senior School was burnt, and investigations are underway to establish the cause,” he said.
Kipkech added that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the National Police Service were finalizing investigations into the fire incident and would soon release their findings.
He attributed some of the unrest to challenges related to parental guidance and peer influence, calling on parents to take a more active role in mentoring and supporting their children.
“We continue appealing to parents to guide their children and support schools in instilling discipline. Some of these problems may be linked to inadequate parental guidance and peer pressure,” he said.
Area County Director of Education Apollo Apuko said the views and recommendations collected during the meeting would be forwarded to a national committee for consideration and possible policy action.
“I assure all stakeholders that the issues discussed today and the recommendations made will be tabled before the national committee once they are fully compiled,” said Apuko.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of growing concern over student unrest in schools across the country.
In Narok County, anxiety heightened recently after a fire razed a boys’ dormitory at Eor-Ekule Mixed Secondary School, destroying students’ belongings and reigniting debate on safety, discipline, and student welfare in learning institutions.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that stronger collaboration among parents, schools, education authorities, and security agencies would help address the underlying causes of unrest, enhance student welfare, and create a more stable and conducive environment for learning.
By Duncan Kamau and Emily Kadzo
