By Mumo Judah, Nairobi, June 3, 2026
Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi has raised concern over the increasing wave of student strikes and unrest in secondary schools across Embu County, warning that the trend is disrupting learning, damaging property, and threatening the stability of the education sector.
Speaking in the Senate on Wednesday, the lawmaker called for urgent intervention by the Ministry of Education, noting that a conducive and uninterrupted learning environment is critical for effective curriculum implementation, especially during the second term when candidates and other learners are preparing for national examinations.
Sen. Mundigi told the House that the growing number of strikes has caused anxiety among parents, teachers, and education stakeholders, with several schools in Embu County reportedly affected by student unrest in recent months.
Among the institutions cited by the senator were Kegonge Boys High School, Kyeni Girls’ High School, Siakago Day Secondary School, Kiamuringa Secondary School, Kangaru School, Kavutiri Secondary School, Nyangwa Boys High School, Nthangaiya Girls High School, and Gatunduri Secondary School.
The senator has now tasked the Senate Standing Committee on Education with investigating the underlying causes behind the increasing cases of student unrest not only in Embu County but also across the country, where a growing number of schools have recently experienced strikes and disruptions.
He wants the committee to establish whether the Ministry of Education has conducted comprehensive investigations into the recurring incidents and to provide details on the findings and recommendations arising from any such inquiries.
Sen. Mundigi is also seeking clarification on the immediate measures being implemented by the government to contain the unrest and prevent further disruption of learning in affected institutions.
In addition, he has called for an update on efforts to strengthen guidance and counselling programmes in schools, arguing that such initiatives are essential in addressing student concerns before they escalate into strikes and destructive protests.
The senator further urged the committee to outline the long-term strategies and policy reforms being considered to address the root causes of student unrest, improve discipline, and create a more supportive and stable learning environment in schools nationwide.
He also wants the Ministry of Education to explain the accountability, communication, and stakeholder engagement mechanisms it has put in place to reassure parents, students, and teachers while safeguarding the integrity of the country’s education system.
The concerns come amid a recent surge in student protests reported in several schools across Kenya, prompting renewed debate about student welfare, school management practices, mental health support, disciplinary approaches, and the overall state of learning institutions.
Education stakeholders have increasingly called for proactive engagement between school administrations, parents, and learners to address emerging challenges before they develop into full-scale unrest that disrupts academic programmes and destroys school property.
The Senate Education Committee is expected to respond to the concerns raised by Sen. Mundigi and provide recommendations on how the government can tackle the growing trend of student strikes while ensuring continuity of learning across the country.
