The Ministry of Interior and National Administration is strengthening its partnership with schools as part of a broader strategy to promote peace, responsible citizenship and early resolution of conflicts within learning institutions.

Recognizing young people as critical stakeholders in Kenya’s security agenda, the Ministry is actively participating in structured platforms through which students can engage directly with security agencies, raise concerns, propose solutions and take lead in fostering safe learning environments.

One such platform is the student-led initiative promoting mediation and preventive security tools of addressing conflict in learning institutions which has now released its first quarter report.

Dubbed Jukwaa La Wasomi, the collaborative effort brings together stakeholders from the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health through the Kenya Medical Training Colleges, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Judiciary, and independent commissions including the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).

The first cohort of more than 1,000 students from 264 institutions of higher learning have been trained on mediation and preventive security.

The Universities and Colleges Students Peace Association of Kenya (UCSPAK) trained the students and is currently hosting the second cohort of thousands of more students.

The Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Dr Raymond Omollo, while launching the report of the first phase of the Jukwaa La Wasomi programme at the University of Nairobi, said the initiative put the youth at the heart of conflict resolution in their institutions.

He said the initiative was started following discussions that arose during the Jukwaa La Usalama programme that was spearheaded by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration last year.

Dr Omollo said the initiative involved many stakeholders and provided a space for engagement between students, academic institutions and security agencies to advance preventive approaches to emerging security risks within institutions of higher learning.

“This is a collaborative effort. We are building a strong and solid network that will make it easy for institutions of learning and students to have robust mechanisms for mediation and resolution of conflicts,” he said.

The Principal Secretary said some universities and institutions of higher learning raised concerns during the Jukwaa La Usalama engagements, especially on security of students.

He said the Ministry took up the matter and supported the student-centered initiative with the other partners.

Dr Omollo said the second cohort of student trainees were currently being trained in various parts of the country before being certified on mediation.

He said the mediation, peace and conflict resolution initiative had now incorporated thousands of learners in primary, junior and senior schools across the country.

He decried cases of school unrest that recently affected some schools, including at the Utumishi Girls Academy, where 16 students died in a fire tragedy.

Dr Omollo said all National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) had been instructed to work with all institutions of learning in conflict resolution with dialogue being given priority.

He noted that Jukwaa La Wasomi was a collaborative effort that involved dialogue and urged heads of institutions to support it.

The Principal Secretary said the Government had intervened to ensure schools in northern Kenya had been staffed with teachers. He called on all citizens to coexist peacefully. 

NCIC chairperson Dr Kepha Nyamweya said the commission would support the initiative that would nurture the youth as mediation champions and peace ambassadors in the country.

Dr Nyamweya warned against ethnic hatred and utterances that could jeopardise peace and cohesion, especially in the run-up to next year’s general election, saying the commission would take stern action, including referring cases for prosecution.

Educationist Prof Chacha Nyaigotti Chacha and Chairperson of the Jukwaa la Wasomi National Steering Committee, praised the initiative, saying it would help resolve any conflicts in learning institutions and called for concerted efforts to support it.

IEBC commissioner Dr Moses Mukhwana and many heads of schools, colleges and universities were present.