By Brian Said Iha
Kiambu, June 5, 2026
Mang’u High School in Kiambu County has temporarily suspended learning and sent students home following an attempted unrest incident at the institution.
According to an official communication issued by Principal Bernard King’ah, a small group of students attempted to cause a disturbance at around 7:15 p.m. on Thursday. School administrators moved swiftly to contain the situation, ensuring that all learners remained safe and that normal order was restored within the school.
Despite successfully managing the incident, the school’s Board of Management (BOM) and Parents Association (PA) resolved to release all students as a precautionary measure to prevent any escalation. Learners were directed to leave the school beginning 6:00 a.m. on Friday morning.
The closure comes amid growing concern over a wave of student unrest that has affected several secondary schools across the country in recent days, disrupting learning and raising fresh questions about student welfare and school management.
Education stakeholders have expressed alarm over the increasing number of strikes, arson incidents and demonstrations reported in both national and county schools. The unrest has forced several institutions to suspend operations as administrators and security agencies seek lasting solutions.
The crisis was brought into sharp focus following a deadly dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, which claimed the lives of 16 students and left several others injured. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba dissolved the school’s board as investigations into the incident continue.
Over the past week, a number of schools have reportedly been affected by unrest, leading to temporary closures and the suspension of learning activities. Among the institutions that have faced disruptions are Lenana School, Loreto High School, Moi Forces Academy Lanet, St. George’s Girls, Kiangunyi Girls and Njumbi Boys.
Education experts attribute the growing unrest to a combination of factors, including academic pressure, overcrowding in schools, inadequate infrastructure, mental health challenges and peer influence among learners.
Stakeholders have particularly pointed to increased anxiety among students resulting from examination pressures and changing academic schedules. The transition of learners into higher grades has also placed significant strain on boarding facilities and other school resources in some institutions.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has previously called for stronger guidance and counselling programmes in schools, arguing that professional mental health support is essential in addressing student stress, improving student-teacher relations and preventing unrest.
As investigations continue at Mang’u High School, education officials are expected to engage the school administration, parents and students to establish the underlying causes of the attempted disturbance and determine when learning can safely resume.
The latest closure adds to growing pressure on the Ministry of Education to address the root causes of student unrest and restore stability in learning institutions across the country.
