NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has called for urgent national action to address the rising wave of unrest in schools following the fire at Jomo Kenyatta Boys High School in Bahati, Nakuru.
In a statement issued after the incident, Odhiambo said the fire was the latest indication of a growing crisis in learning institutions, warning that repeated cases of school riots, arson and violent protests point to deeper systemic problems.
She said the incident should not be viewed as an isolated occurrence but as part of a disturbing pattern that has seen schools across the country experience unrest, property destruction and safety concerns.
According to Odhiambo, when emergency responders, including police and firefighters, are forced to contain blazes within school compounds, it reflects unresolved tensions, weakened discipline and unaddressed grievances among students.
She urged the country to move beyond treating such incidents as isolated acts of indiscipline and instead confront what she described as a broader national challenge affecting schools.
Odhiambo called for candid discussions on student welfare, mental health, school governance and the pressures facing learners, while also advocating for firm but fair disciplinary measures and accountability for those involved in violence and destruction.
She further appealed to the Ministry of Education, school boards, parents and student leaders to prioritise the safety of learners by thoroughly investigating every incident of school unrest and putting in place preventive measures.
The former LSK president said dialogue mechanisms and stronger safeguards were necessary to ensure schools remain safe environments for learning rather than recurring scenes of fear, violence and destruction.
The fire at Jomo Kenyatta Boys High School in Bahati, Nakuru, adds to a series of school unrest incidents reported in different parts of the country in recent months, renewing concerns over student safety and the state of discipline in learning institutions.