There are reports circulating that Lenana School in Nairobi has been temporarily closed and students sent home following recent unrest. Here is statement from school to parents
2nd June 2026.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Following the restlessness and disturbance experienced during preps in the school last night, the Board of Management and the school administration have resolved to temporarily release all students to allow for restoration of normalcy and a comprehensive assessment of the situation.
You are therefore requested to pick your son from the school at 8:00 a.m. today. Kindly ensure that all students leave the school compound accompanied by a parent, guardian, or an authorized representative.
Further communication regarding the reporting date and subsequent arrangements will be provided in due course.
We regret the inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding, cooperation, and continued support during this period.
Yours faithfully,
Chief Principal
Lenana School
Kenya has experienced a worrying wave of student unrest in several secondary schools during 2026, leading to closures, destruction of property, and disruptions to learning. Education officials have linked the incidents to factors such as examination pressure, discipline issues, mental health challenges, and poor communication between students and school administrations.
Some of the notable cases include:
Utumishi, where a fire took life of 16 students and injured dozens more. Authorities later arrested several students on suspicion of arson, with preliminary investigations suggesting the tragedy may have been linked to unrest within the school.
State House Girls High School, which was temporarily closed after student unrest as authorities moved to restore order.
Kangaru School and Kangaru Girls High School in Embu County, where protests and student walkouts disrupted learning.
Mwasere Girls High School, which was closed indefinitely following unrest that resulted in damage to school facilities.
Chebwagan Boys High School, which was shut down after students staged a strike over grievances related to school management and welfare concerns.
St. Patrick’s Boys Iten, where students protested and reportedly destroyed property, leading to the school’s indefinite closure
Other schools affected by unrest in recent months include Tambach Boys High School, Santa Maria Girls Secondary School, Yemit Girls Secondary School, and Kibendo Secondary School.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba recently noted that while the incidents are concerning, they affect a relatively small proportion of Kenya’s approximately 73,000 learning institutions. However, the growing frequency of strikes and school fires has prompted calls for urgent intervention to address the underlying causes.
The recent unrest has reignited debate about student welfare, mental health support, disciplinary approaches, and safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools, with many stakeholders calling for lasting solutions before more lives and learning opportunities are lost.
