Political aspirants in Laikipia have been warned against holding campaign rallies within learning institutions as the government moves to curb rising cases of student unrest across the country.
Laikipia County Commissioner Duncan Muyesu said schools must remain safe spaces for learning and should not be used for political mobilisation by aspirants seeking votes.
“All schools within the county are safe, and we shall not entertain strangers in learning institutions, particularly aspirants using schools as platforms for political mobilisation. If you want votes, hold your campaigns elsewhere. Schools are for learning and shaping responsible citizens,” he said.
He spoke during Nanyuki High School’s annual thanksgiving ceremony, where education stakeholders also called on learners to embrace dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution whenever challenges arise.
Assistant Director in the Ministry of Education Nelson Sifuna, who was the chief guest, urged students to avoid unrest and instead use constructive engagement to address grievances.
“Whenever challenges arise, let us seek dialogue through peaceful and constructive engagement rather than confrontation. Teachers and parents must also maintain open communication channels to resolve disagreements,” he said.
Sifuna warned that school unrest disrupts learning, destroys infrastructure and negatively affects learners’ academic progress, emphasizing that discipline remains central to academic success.
He commended Nanyuki High School for maintaining discipline despite reports of unrest in other institutions across the country.
The Assistant Director also highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening digital learning and integrating emerging technologies into education.
“We continue to invest in digital learning, ICT integration, STEM education, innovation and research. Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future technology but a present reality. Learners must be prepared for a world where AI is part of everyday life,” he said.
He noted that the government is expanding ICT infrastructure to ensure learners are not left behind in the digital transformation agenda.
Nanyuki High School was singled out as one of the institutions actively promoting ICT skills among learners, though the official noted the need for more computer laboratories to accommodate increasing enrolment.
During the event, more than 100 top-performing students from the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations were awarded cash prizes and laptops in recognition of their academic excellence.
Chief Principal Solomon Koech said the school recorded improved performance, with a significant number of candidates achieving university entry grades.
The principal lauded the learners for their discipline and achievements, noting that academic excellence is a result of collective effort between teachers, parents and students.
“Out of 477 candidates, 448 attained C+ and above, which enabled their transition to higher education,” he said.
He added that the institution had registered 476 candidates for the current year and called for continued support from stakeholders to sustain strong academic performance.
By Muturi Mwangi
