Student Unrest Crisis Dominates KESSHA Conference as 7,300 Principals Gather in Mombasa

Rising cases of student unrest across Kenyan schools have taken center stage at the 49th KCB/Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) Annual Conference, where more than 7,300 secondary school principals have convened in Mombasa for a four-day meeting aimed at addressing key challenges facing the education sector.

The conference comes at a time when schools across the country are grappling with increasing incidents of student indiscipline, prompting education stakeholders to seek lasting solutions to restore stability in learning institutions.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, KESSHA National Chairman Willie Kuria described the second term of 2026 as one of the most challenging periods for school administrators, citing the growing wave of unrest in schools.

Kuria said student discipline and welfare will be among the key issues discussed during the gathering, with school heads expected to examine the root causes of unrest and recommend practical interventions to address the problem.

"It has been a very challenging time for school heads this second term of 2026," Kuria said.

He proposed that learners who struggle to adapt to boarding school life should be transferred to day schools, where they can benefit from closer parental supervision and support.

According to Kuria, boarding schools require students who can adhere to institutional rules and routines, adding that some learners may thrive better in day-school environments.

The conference, themed "Strong Schools and Collaborative Leadership for Promoting Competency-Based Education," is also focusing on the implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE), which continues to reshape Kenya's education system.

Kuria said the theme underscores the need for strong leadership, effective partnerships, and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the success of ongoing education reforms.

"As heads of institutions, we recognize that the transformation of education requires strong institutions, visionary leadership, effective partnerships and continuous professional learning," he said.

The annual KESSHA conference remains the largest professional forum for secondary school principals in Kenya, bringing together school leaders from all 47 counties to discuss emerging educational issues, exchange experiences and best practices, and engage policymakers on matters affecting the future of education.

Education experts, government officials, development partners, and industry stakeholders are expected to address the conference, with discussions likely to shape policy recommendations on student welfare, school management, leadership, and the continued rollout of competency-based learning.

As concerns over student unrest continue to mount, the resolutions reached during the Mombasa conference are expected to play a critical role in guiding schools and policymakers on how best to foster safer, more supportive, and productive learning environments for learners across the country.