The government is considering the inclusion of student leaders, deans of students, and campus security chiefs in county and sub-county security and intelligence committees to ensure student concerns are heard and addressed early.
According to Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo, the proposal is part of a wider plan to strengthen student participation in national security structures and make learning institutions safer.
“We must embrace our student leaders in these structures so that we are able to pick up information or issues in good time and intervene before problems escalate,” Omollo said.
He spoke during the Jukwaa La Wasomi series held at the University of Nairobi, where he chaired discussions on student safety and youth involvement in peacebuilding.
Omollo urged universities to partner with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) to hold regular Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) dialogues.
He said the goal is to create a learning environment free from fear, manipulation, or harm.
“Security begins with awareness, partnership, and shared responsibility – and our students must be part of that equation,” he said, adding that youth engagement is central to promoting peace and stability.
The PS revealed that the Ministry has partnered with the Universities and Colleges Students’ Peace Association of Kenya (UCSPAK) to enhance dialogue between student leaders and security agencies.
“We continue to organize meetings between student leaders and county security committees to enhance youth peace and security at both county and national levels,” he added.
The Nairobi convention brought together deans of students, university administrators, and representatives from institutions of higher learning.
It marked the culmination of several forums that underscored the need for targeted engagement with students on safety issues.
Participants proposed a range of measures, including installing CCTV cameras, streetlights around campuses, and fencing institutional premises to enhance security.
They also recommended early issuance of student IDs and active involvement of student leaders in county-level intelligence and security meetings.
A majority called for stronger coordination among universities, security agencies, and local communities to mitigate insecurity and create safer learning environments.
The Nyumba Kumi model will also be expanded to include students living off-campus, while student orientation programs will feature safety and security briefings.
Discussions during the forum touched on a wide range of student welfare issues — including drug and substance abuse, campus insecurity, gender-based violence, radicalization, mental health, academic integrity, and unemployment.
Omollo raised concern over the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in learning institutions, describing the trend as alarming.
“To think that such cases are being experienced within our institutions of higher learning is a wake-up call. Something has gone terribly amiss,” he said, noting that the national GBV prevalence rate stands at 36 per cent.
He called for collective and sustainable solutions to restore dignity, trust, and safety in learning institutions.
The forum also discussed the need for stronger drug and substance abuse prevention, recommending a standardized national approach by NACADA, increased access to professional counseling services, collaboration with parents and community leaders, and tighter control of alcohol and drug-related advertising targeting the youth.