School leaders have been instructed to enforce strict measures against student indiscipline, including arson and vandalism, following a surge in unrest across institutions ahead of national exams.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on Wednesday warned that rising disorder threatens learning and damages school property, emphasizing that expulsion, prosecution, and transfers will follow only after due process.
Ogamba stressed that schools must no longer cover up acts of destruction and misconduct.
“The correct position is that you can expel a student after disciplinary proceedings, and if, at the conclusion of it, the decisions of the committee together with the parents and board determine the action to be taken,” he said.
The CS condemned recent incidents in which students burned schools and broke into bursars’ offices to steal resources. “These students are now in custody; it is a crime,” he said.
He added that candidates involved in arson will sit exams externally, while other implicated learners will continue their studies from home. “Discipline and rules of schools have to be adhered to. You cannot move a child from one school to another and keep committing the same offence,” Ogamba said.
Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Professor Julius Bitok, reaffirmed that no student involved in property destruction will go unpunished.
“The new spate of unrest in schools, burning some infrastructure, we have given firm instructions to our county directors and sub-county directors to be on top of the game,” he said. Bitok directed education officers to convene urgent meetings with students and teachers at schools showing signs of unrest. “No student will be allowed to destroy school property and go scot-free. We will take them through the disciplinary process,” he added, calling for heightened vigilance during this sensitive term.
The unrest has sparked debate among political leaders, education stakeholders, and parents on balancing discipline with learners’ rights.
In Kericho County, Belgut MP Nelson Koech urged strict measures, saying students who commit arson should face criminal consequences.
“Any child who burns a school is a criminal, and they should be treated as such. They should go to jail or be taught in approved schools. Such students should not escape with light punishments,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot suggested a national discussion on reinstating corporal punishment, arguing that the ban contributed to the rise in school destruction.
“The destruction of school property began the moment caning was banned. The country must engage in a broader discussion about the policy that outlawed caning. Even the Bible states that if you spare the rod, you spoil the child,” he said, praising parents and residents in Kapkatet for controlling unrest at Tengecha Boys’ following last week’s dormitory fire.
Former Roads Minister Franklin Bett, who helped construct Litein High School’s administration block in the 1990s, called for an independent investigation into the destruction.
“There may be a third force involved. This incident demands a thorough and independent probe by the Ministries of Education and Interior,” he said.
Former Litein Boys Principal John Rop also warned that the unrest threatens KCSE candidates.
“It will be a disaster if candidates cannot sit for their examinations due to this destruction. The Ministry of Education, parents and the Board of Management must urgently meet to ensure continuity of learning,” he said.
The Ministry reminded school heads that transfers and admissions of students involved in indiscipline will follow strict guidelines.
Kericho County Director of Education Julius Ngoneshi instructed principals against admitting expelled students without proper clearance. “Principals are expected to ensure they give release letters to students seeking transfer, stating clearly the conduct of the students concerned. A principal who covers up a student’s conduct shall be held responsible for any subsequent problems,” Ngoneshi said.