Former University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Peter Mulwa Mbithi has been appointed to chair a 52-member task team mandated to investigate recurring student unrest in schools across Kenya.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced the appointments in a Gazette notice published on Friday, October 23, outlining the team’s composition, responsibilities and duration.
“The Task Team shall subsist for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of publication of this notice,” the notice stated.
Mbithi, who served as the University of Nairobi vice-chancellor between 2015 and 2019, will lead the team in examining the causes of school unrest reported across the country in 2026, including incidents that disrupted learning and forced schools to close.
Over the next three months, the team will review previous reports on school unrest, assess the implementation of earlier recommendations and identify gaps that may have contributed to the recurring incidents.
Its mandate also covers school safety standards, emergency preparedness, boarding school management and infrastructure, as well as the affordability of school uniforms.
The task team will further investigate the relationship between student unrest, education financing and school fees, alongside examining discipline, counselling services, mental health support and learner welfare.
It will also assess the accountability of school administrators, parents, education officials and other stakeholders in preventing and responding to student unrest.
The notice requires the team to submit monthly progress reports to the Education CS and a comprehensive final report upon completion of its 90-day assignment. The members are also expected to seek views from education stakeholders and members of the public.
Academics, Education Officials Appointed
Among those appointed to the team are former Maseno University Vice-Chancellor Julius Nyabundi, Council of Legal Education Chairperson Collins Odote and Kenyatta University Associate Professor Jackline Nyerere.
Dr Purity Ngina, who attracted national attention in 2018 after becoming Kenya’s youngest PhD graduate at the age of 28, is also a member of the task team.
Representatives of teachers and parents have been included, among them Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Collins Henry Oyuu and National Parents Association (NPA) Chairperson Silas David Obuhatsa.
Other appointees include Assistant Inspector General of Police George Lenny Kisaka, former Nairobi County education executive Janet Ouko, and Leila Abdi Ali, who previously served under the Teachers Service Commission. Former Busia County executive Kizito Wangalwa is also among the members.
The other appointees are Abdulahi Hassan, Agnes Ngonyo, Allan Sitima, Alphonse Kanga, Andiwo Obondoh, Anita Kiptum, Boaz Omori Munga, Boniface Ndirangu, Charles Kyalo Mutinda, Charles Sai Tabau, Cleophas Ondieki, Edward Obwocha, Elizabeth Chepchumba Birgen, Ernest Alela, F. E. Mathe, Faraja Precious and Gloria Edna Wawira.
The list further includes James Nyabuto Ombati, Jane Mwangi, Joseph Patrick Kitur, Joseph Wasikhongo, Kepha Nyandega, Lydia Macharia, Margaret Nyambura Njaggah, Mary Mwandi, Mercy Igoki, Mohamed Ibrahim Abdullahi, Monicah Orero, Nicholas Muasya, Nicodemus Mutuku Musyoka, Olipha Omburi Nyakhuru, Paul Wandere, Peter Karanja, Purity Mbaabu, Rose Eteye, Ruth Ngonyoku, Simon Mwangi Muita, Sujatha Kotamraju, Tioko Lorgion and Titus Yego.
Eight Secretaries Named
Eight joint secretaries have also been appointed to provide administrative and technical support to the team.
William Sugut, the Head of the Directorate of Secondary Education, will serve as the lead secretary. The other secretaries are Joshua Wabwire, Christine Siranga, Faith Nkatha, Gikambi Zipporah Kawira, Hellen Avisa, Kindi Seyianoi Monicah and Rashid Mohammed.
The appointments follow Ogamba’s announcement in June that the government intended to establish a multi-stakeholder team to address the growing problem of student unrest.
The initiative came amid a wave of student unrest and school fires that disrupted learning in approximately 204 secondary schools across the country.
The 90-day investigation is expected to examine the factors behind the incidents and recommend measures to improve school safety, strengthen student welfare, and prevent further disruptions to learning.
