Former Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of ICT and long-time public communicator David Osiany has called on the government to urgently close all schools for the remainder of the month, citing growing concerns over student unrest and peer influence spreading across learning institutions.
In a strongly worded public message addressed to the Ministry of Education (MoE), Osiany warned that the current wave of instability in schools is being fueled not only by internal disciplinary challenges but also by what he termed as “peer pressure contagion” among students.
“Dear Ministry of Education, close ALL schools for the rest of the month. What’s going on is now peer pressure. Kids now feel others are home and they don’t want to ‘miss out’. Do it NOW,” Osiany stated in his message.
His remarks come at a time when several schools across the country have reported incidents of unrest, arson threats, student walkouts and heightened tension in boarding institutions.
Education stakeholders have increasingly raised concern over coordinated behaviour patterns among students, often influenced by social media and rapid information sharing.
The Ministry of Education has not yet issued an official response to Osiany’s call.
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However, education officials have in recent weeks emphasized the need for calm, strengthened guidance and counselling in schools and closer collaboration between teachers, parents and security agencies to address the situation.
Osiany’s proposal has already sparked debate among Kenyans, with some agreeing that a temporary closure could help de-escalate tensions and allow for psychological reset, while others argue that shutting down schools could disrupt the academic calendar and worsen anxiety among learners.
Education experts note that school unrest in Kenya has historically been cyclical, often peaking during exam periods or immediately after mid-term breaks.
They also warn that blanket closures may not address the root causes, which include stress, discipline breakdown and socio-economic pressures affecting students.
As discussions continue, the ministry is expected to provide guidance on whether additional safety measures or targeted interventions will be rolled out in affected institutions.
For now, Osiany’s statement has added fresh urgency to the national conversation on student welfare, discipline and the stability of the education system.
By Philip Koech
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