Former University of Nairobi Vice‑Chancellor Prof. Peter Mulwa Mbithi has been appointed chairperson of a 52‑member Multi‑Stakeholder Task Team on Unrest in Schools.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba signed the appointment through a Gazette notice dated 23 October 2026.

The task team includes eight joint secretariat members and will investigate immediate, underlying and systemic causes of school unrest reported in 2026, covering regional, gender, age, disability and boarding status differentials.

Its terms of reference call for a review of previous reports, assessment of past recommendation implementation, and identification of gaps that have hindered enforcement.

The team will also examine how social media, smartphones, misinformation, examination stress and long academic terms contribute to unrest, alongside issues such as food quality, criminal gangs, religious extremism, substance abuse, bullying and gender‑based violence.

A specific focus will be placed on boarding schools, reviewing infrastructure, safeguarding measures, emergency response systems and compliance with the National Disaster Risk Management Act, No 16 of 2026.

The task team will also assess school uniform policies, fee structures, capitation grants, and the unit cost of education from pre‑primary to senior school, recommending a framework for implementation.

Its remit includes reviewing discipline frameworks, counselling and mental‑health services, channels for stakeholder concerns, and the roles of heads, boards, sponsors, parents, security agencies and other actors.

The team will operate for 90 days from the Gazette publication date, submitting monthly progress reports and a final report to the Cabinet Secretary at the end of its term.

Cabinet Secretary Ogamba affirmed that the task team has full powers to fulfil its mandate and may co‑opt experts as needed, with the Ministry of Education providing secretariat support and funding from approved ministry funds or approved donor grants.