By Erestinah Jane, July 13, 2026
Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has called for urgent national intervention to address the growing wave of unrest in schools, warning that the increasing cases of violence, arson and student indiscipline require immediate and coordinated action from all stakeholders.
Speaking in the wake of a series of disturbing incidents in learning institutions across the country, Odhiambo said the rising trend points to deeper societal and institutional challenges that cannot be resolved through punitive measures alone.
She urged the Ministry of Education, school administrators, parents, religious leaders and mental health professionals to work together in identifying the root causes of the unrest and implementing long-term solutions that safeguard learners and school communities.
Odhiambo noted that schools should remain safe spaces for learning and personal development, stressing that frequent incidents of violence, destruction of property and student confrontations threaten both the education system and the future of young people.
She further called for increased investment in guidance and counselling programmes, psychosocial support services and conflict resolution mechanisms within schools, saying many students require emotional and mental health support to cope with the pressures they face.
The former LSK president also emphasized the importance of strengthening communication between teachers, parents and learners, arguing that early intervention can help detect and address behavioural concerns before they escalate into serious incidents.
Her remarks come amid growing concern over recent cases of school unrest, including dormitory fires, violent altercations among students and other disciplinary incidents reported in various parts of the country.
Odhiambo urged the government to undertake a comprehensive review of student welfare policies and school safety measures to ensure learning institutions remain secure and conducive environments for education.
She maintained that addressing the crisis requires a collective national effort, calling on all stakeholders to prioritize dialogue, mentorship and preventive interventions to curb the rising cases of unrest while protecting the rights, safety and well-being of every learner.
