KMTC CEO Calls for Stronger Mediation and Preventive Security in Learning Institutions

The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) CEO, Dr Kelly Oluoch, has called on leaders of higher learning institutions to embrace mediation and preventive security as critical tools for fostering peaceful, safe, and resilient learning environments.

Speaking at a forum for heads of educational institutions at the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies in Lower Kabete on June 18, 2026, Dr. Oluoch emphasised that educational institutions must move beyond reactive security measures and focus on identifying and addressing potential risks before they escalate into crises.

The CEO observed that learning institutions today face increasingly complex challenges, including student unrest, mental health concerns, cyber threats, misinformation, radicalization, gender-based violence, substance abuse, and public health emergencies. He noted that these emerging risks require a shift towards preventive security, in which institutions proactively identify, assess, and mitigate threats before they escalate into major incidents.

He further emphasised the importance of mediation in managing conflicts in educational settings, noting that unresolved grievances often underpin institutional unrest. “Conflict is inevitable wherever people interact. The challenge is not the existence of conflict but how we manage it. Mediation promotes dialogue, understanding, collaboration, and lasting solutions,” he said.

Dr. Oluoch urged institutions to strengthen communication channels, grievance-resolution systems, counselling services, student-engagement platforms, and peer-mediation programmes to promote harmonious coexistence among students, staff, and management.

On leadership, the CEO described institutional leaders as the first line of preventive security, emphasizing the need for inclusive, transparent, and responsive leadership. He noted that institutions that prioritize trust, accountability, and stakeholder engagement are generally more stable and resilient.

He also called for increased investment in preparedness measures, including comprehensive security policies, emergency response plans, cybersecurity strategies, mental health programmes, and risk management frameworks.

Recognizing the evolving nature of security challenges, Dr. Oluoch emphasized the importance of partnerships between educational institutions, government agencies, security organizations, communities, health institutions, and development partners. “At KMTC, we have learnt that sustainable solutions emerge when institutions work collaboratively. Security, mediation, and well-being are collective responsibilities that transcend organizational boundaries,” he said.

To strengthen resilience across the education sector, the CEO proposed five strategic actions: institutionalising mediation mechanisms, strengthening preventive security frameworks, investing in mental health and student wellbeing, leveraging technology responsibly, and promoting a culture of shared responsibility.

The forum brought together leaders from universities, TVET institutions, teacher training colleges, and other public learning institutions to explore strategies to enhance mediation, conflict resolution, and preventive security in the education sector.