Higher Education and Research Principal Secretary Dr Beatrice Muganda Inyangala has raised concern over the extent of violence affecting students in Kenya, saying research indicates that 90 per cent of students have experienced violence either as victims or perpetrators.

Inyangala made the remarks in connection with the second annual Jukwaa la Wasomi Summit, where government officials and other stakeholders discussed peace, dialogue, conflict prevention and the safety of young people in learning institutions. Her comments came as the government launched a national mediation framework aimed at helping students and institutions resolve disagreements before they escalate into violence. 

According to the research cited by the PS, women account for 65 per cent of those affected, while men account for 35 per cent. Inyangala presented the figures as evidence of the serious challenges facing young people and argued that the country needs to do more than simply respond to violence after it occurs.

Inyangala asks difficult questions

Speaking during the summit, Inyangala said the gathering should provide an opportunity to go beyond celebration and confront some of the difficult questions affecting young people.

She asked how the country can build greater trust among young people, how dialogue can become part of everyday culture and how young people can be equipped to handle disagreements constructively. 

The questions are important because disagreements are common in schools, colleges and universities. Students come from different communities and backgrounds and have different political, social and economic views. Without effective mechanisms for resolving disputes, disagreements can sometimes develop into confrontation.

Inyangala's message was therefore focused on prevention. Instead of waiting until violence has occurred before authorities intervene, she wants institutions to develop stronger mechanisms for identifying disputes and resolving them peacefully.

What does the 90 per cent figure mean?

The 90 per cent figure cited by Inyangala is one of the most significant aspects of her remarks.

She said research shows that nine out of every ten students have experienced violence either as perpetrators or victims. This does not mean that 90 per cent of students are necessarily violent. Rather, the figure, as presented by the PS, covers students who have experienced violence in either capacity. 

The research also indicates a gender difference, with women accounting for 65 per cent of those affected compared with 35 per cent for men.

The figures highlight the importance of looking at violence in learning institutions as a broad student welfare and security issue rather than treating individual incidents as isolated events.

For students, violence can have consequences beyond immediate physical harm. It can interfere with learning, relationships, participation in campus activities and the general sense of safety within an institution.

The government's response: mediation

The remarks came as the government launched the National Mediation Hub, an initiative designed to strengthen peaceful dispute resolution in learning institutions.

The hub is linked to the broader Jukwaa la Wasomi programme, which is being implemented nationally through the Universities and Colleges Students' Peace Association of Kenya in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and National Administration. Other government partners include the Executive Office of the President, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Judiciary and other government agencies. 

The programme seeks to create mechanisms through which disagreements can be addressed before they develop into serious conflict.

This is particularly important in universities and colleges because students are often living and studying together in large numbers. A dispute involving a small group can potentially affect a wider student population if it is not handled appropriately.

Why dialogue matters

Inyangala's emphasis on dialogue is based on the idea that disagreement itself is not necessarily a problem.

Students can have different opinions about politics, education, leadership, social issues and other matters. The challenge is ensuring that those differences can be expressed without turning into violence.

Dialogue provides an opportunity for students to explain their concerns, listen to opposing views and seek solutions.

The PS therefore wants young people to develop the ability to disagree without becoming enemies.

Her question about making dialogue part of everyday culture is particularly relevant because conflict resolution should not only happen after a crisis has occurred. It can become part of the normal functioning of an institution.

Training students as mediators

An important component of the government's approach is the training of professional mediators.

The launch of the mediation initiative included the graduation of Certified Professional Mediators, who are expected to contribute to efforts to prevent and resolve disputes in learning institutions. 

The idea is to have people with appropriate mediation skills who can help parties in conflict communicate and search for peaceful solutions.

This could be especially useful when disputes involve students, student leaders and institutional administrators.

Rather than immediately treating every disagreement as a disciplinary or security matter, mediation can provide another avenue through which grievances can be addressed.

Student participation in peace and security

Another significant aspect of the initiative is the involvement of students themselves.

The government has been working to give students a greater voice in discussions concerning their safety. Reports on the initiative indicate that student leaders and school administrators have participated in sub-county security committee meetings. 

This approach recognises that students understand many of the challenges within their institutions because they experience them directly.

Student leaders can therefore play a role in identifying tensions, communicating concerns and encouraging fellow students to seek peaceful solutions.

At the same time, involving students does not remove the responsibility of administrators and government agencies to ensure that institutions remain safe.

Political disagreements among students

The discussion about student violence is also taking place as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who presided over the launch of the mediation initiative, said universities have historically been places where young people debate ideas and national issues. He argued that political engagement among students should remain constructive. 

The government has consequently placed considerable emphasis on preventing political disagreements from becoming violent confrontations.

Students are important participants in Kenya's civic and political life. Universities have traditionally provided spaces where young people debate the country's future.

The challenge is ensuring that political differences remain differences of opinion rather than becoming causes of physical confrontation.

Protecting students from exploitation

The wider discussions at the launch also touched on the possibility of students being exploited during political activities.

Reports indicate that Murkomen warned about attempts by some politicians to recruit students to participate in violence at political events. He urged mediators to identify such efforts early and protect students from being used in ways that could put them at risk. 

This adds another dimension to Inyangala's call for young people to be equipped to handle disagreements constructively.

Students need spaces where they can participate in civic affairs without being drawn into violence.

Violence and the learning environment

Violence within learning institutions can affect the wider educational environment.

A student who feels unsafe may find it difficult to concentrate on academic work. Institutions can also experience disruptions when disputes escalate.

Violence can create fear among students, lecturers and other members of the institution. It can also damage property and interrupt academic programmes.

For this reason, preventing violence is not simply a security matter. It is also connected to the broader goal of providing students with an environment in which they can learn and develop.

Inyangala's remarks therefore connect student safety with the quality of higher education.

The role of trust

Trust was another central issue raised by the PS.

She asked how Kenya can build greater trust among young people. 

Trust can be important when students have grievances against fellow students or administrators.

If students believe that their concerns will be heard and addressed fairly, they may be more willing to use formal channels to report problems.

On the other hand, when students believe that their concerns are being ignored, disagreements can become more difficult to manage.

The emphasis on trust therefore supports the broader goal of encouraging students to use dialogue and mediation.

A shift from reaction to prevention

The National Mediation Hub represents an attempt to strengthen preventive approaches to conflict.

Traditional responses to serious unrest may involve security intervention after violence has already occurred. Mediation seeks to identify disagreements earlier.

The government's initiative is intended to connect mediation structures within learning institutions with government administration officers and other agencies. Reports indicate that the framework is expected to link more than 30,000 school- and campus-based mediation hubs with relevant government structures. 

If effectively implemented, such a system could give institutions additional tools for managing disputes.

However, its effectiveness will depend on factors such as the willingness of students to use mediation, the capacity of trained mediators and the ability of institutions to respond appropriately to grievances.

Why the issue matters to parents

The concerns raised by Inyangala also have implications for parents and guardians.

When young people leave home for universities and colleges, parents expect them to study in environments where they are reasonably safe.

Reports of widespread exposure to violence can therefore cause concern among families.

The government's emphasis on mediation and dialogue is aimed at improving the mechanisms available to prevent disputes from escalating.

Parents can also play a role by encouraging students to report serious problems and seek assistance rather than responding to disagreements through violence.

What students can learn from the message

Inyangala's remarks send a message that students have an important role in creating peaceful learning environments.

Students can contribute by:

Seeking dialogue when disagreements arise.

Reporting threats or serious conflicts through appropriate channels.

Avoiding physical confrontation.

Respecting different opinions.

Participating constructively in student leadership.

Using mediation where it is available.

Avoiding involvement in violence during political or other public activities.

These measures do not mean students should remain silent when they have legitimate grievances. Instead, the emphasis is on finding peaceful and constructive ways of raising concerns.

Jukwaa la Wasomi goes beyond a single event

The Jukwaa la Wasomi initiative is intended to operate beyond the summit itself.

The programme was initially established as the Zero Radicalisation Campaign before being mainstreamed into the national security system. It now brings together various government institutions and focuses on peace, security and constructive engagement among young people. 

The government's intention is to institutionalise the programme, with reports indicating plans to formalise it within two weeks. 

This means the discussions around student violence are being incorporated into a wider national framework rather than being treated as a one-day campaign.

Broader challenges facing students

Although Inyangala's 90 per cent figure specifically concerns violence, students face many other challenges that can affect their welfare.

These include financial difficulties, academic pressure, unemployment concerns, relationships, mental and emotional pressures, accommodation challenges and uncertainty about their future.

The PS's call for greater trust and dialogue can therefore be viewed within this wider environment.

Students need mechanisms through which they can raise concerns and obtain support when difficulties arise.