The Ministry of Education has summoned all public secondary school principals to an emergency virtual meeting following a growing wave of student unrest reported across the country.
In a circular dated May 12, 2026, the Education Principal Secretary (PS), Julius Bitok, directed all Regional, County, and Sub-County Directors of Education to ensure that all school heads attend the meeting.
Education PS Bitok to Chair Crisis Meeting with All Principals Over Rising School Unrest
The virtual meeting, which will be chaired by the Principal Secretary, is expected to focus on rising cases of unrest in schools, a concern that has increasingly disrupted learning in recent weeks.
“The Principal Secretary will chair a virtual meeting of all principals and field officers on Wednesday, 13th May, 2026, at 8:00 am,” read the circular in part.
“You are asked to inform all principals of public secondary schools within your jurisdiction to attend the meeting.”
The meeting has, however, been postponed to Thursday, May 14, 2026, according to updated communication from the Ministry.
The ministry’s directive to meet with school principals comes amid growing concern over repeated instances of unrest in schools, including strikes, walkouts, and sudden closures.
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Unrest Leading to School Closures
On Tuesday, May 12, chaos erupted at Kaumoni Boys High School in Kaiti, Makueni County, after students allegedly set several administrative blocks ablaze.
The students protested over what they termed poor school management and unresolved grievances.
The fire gutted offices, including the principal’s office, the deputy principal’s office, the dean of students’ office, the laboratory, and the staffroom, causing extensive damage estimated at millions of shillings.
In a similar incident in April, Mirithu Girls Secondary School in Kiambu County was closed indefinitely after a dormitory fire caused by a suspected electrical fault destroyed property.
The blaze broke out during evening preps, leaving students counting losses as their belongings went up in flames.
The newly elevated Dr. Aggrey National School in Wundanyi, on April 30, reported a fire that destroyed property of unknown value.
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Kangaru Boys Secondary School in Embu County has been closed indefinitely following a strike that broke out on Sunday, March 22.
The incident saw the majority of learners leave the school premises in the middle of the night, prompting concern among local residents and authorities in the area.
Earlier in February, Njoro Girls Senior School in Nakuru County was closed indefinitely following unrest triggered by the death of a Form Four student.
Learners accused the school administration of negligence over the circumstances surrounding the death of 18-year-old Brenda Akinyi, who died while receiving treatment at Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital after falling ill while at school.
At the same time in January, Chebwagan Boys High School in Kericho County was closed after students staged protests over the administration’s alleged failure to uphold dietary standards.
In another incident the same month, Matungulu Boys Secondary School was closed after a fire destroyed four dormitories.
At least 15 students were injured, while more than 300 learners lost belongings, including beds, bedding, textbooks, and uniforms. Four students were later arrested following preliminary investigations linking them to the incident.
The Ministry of Interior announced in February a crackdown in schools amid an increase in school unrest across the country.
The operation will focus on several counties, including Kericho, Nandi, Nakuru, Kitui, Tharaka Nithi, Kakamega, Narok, Kisii, Nyeri, Nyamira, Kajiado, Migori, Kirinyaga, Trans Nzoia, and Nairobi.
