Media personality Oga Obinna has ignited a national conversation on student discipline and unrest after posing a pointed question to Kenyans on his Instagram account amid a surge in school strikes across the country.
In a post that quickly attracted attention online, Obinna asked:
“What is the cause of these school strikes? And if your child, brother, or sister was involved in the strike, what would be the most befitting punishment?”
His remarks come at a time when several secondary schools have reported cases of unrest, with some incidents resulting in the destruction of property, disruption of learning, and temporary school closures.
The recent wave of strikes has prompted concern among education stakeholders, parents, and government officials, who are seeking lasting solutions to a problem that has repeatedly disrupted learning in Kenyan schools over the years.
Searching for Answers
While public debate has largely centred on discipline and punishment, education officials say the causes of student unrest are often more complex.
According to the Ministry of Education, many strikes are linked to poor communication between students and school administrators, academic pressure, inadequate student involvement in decision-making, harsh disciplinary practices and poor living conditions in some institutions.
“The focus should not only be on punishment but also on understanding why students resort to unrest in the first place,” education stakeholders have repeatedly argued during discussions on school discipline.
Students // Gemini
Officials have also pointed to weak guidance and counselling programmes, peer influence, drug abuse and the growing role of social media as factors contributing to tensions within schools.
Government Response
The increase in reported unrest recently prompted Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok to convene meetings with school principals and education officers across the country.
The Ministry has directed schools to strengthen communication channels, improve student welfare and embrace learner-centred approaches aimed at resolving grievances before they escalate into demonstrations or acts of vandalism.
Education authorities have also rolled out training programmes for school administrators to help identify early warning signs of unrest and improve conflict management within institutions.
Public Reactions
Obinna’s question has generated varied responses online. Some Kenyans called for tougher disciplinary measures against students involved in destroying school property, while others argued that punishment alone cannot address the root causes of unrest.
Education experts maintain that sustainable solutions will require stronger counselling departments, improved mentorship programmes and greater engagement between students, teachers and school management.
“What is the cause of these school strikes?” Oga Obinna
As schools continue to grapple with the challenge, the discussion sparked by the media personality’s question reflects a broader national concern about balancing discipline with dialogue in Kenya’s education system.
