President Ruto warns students against school unrest, says every choice has consequences

President William Ruto has warned students against engaging in school unrest, saying every choice has consequences, while urging parents to play a greater role in raising their children. (Photo: PCS)

By Rachael Mutabasi
Sunday, June 28, 2026

Listen

Read this story aloud

Listen to the clean text version of this article.

Ready

3 min listen

Audio reading is not supported on this browser.

President William Ruto has urged students to shun violence, calling on parents to play a greater role in raising their children.

President William Ruto has warned students against engaging in school unrest, saying every choice has consequences, as he urged parents to take a more active role in raising their children amid rising cases of arson and vandalism in schools.

Speaking during a thanksgiving service at Burieruri High School in Meru County on Sunday, the President said discipline and character are just as important as academic achievement, stressing that acts of violence and destruction only put students' futures at risk.

"We have seen unrests in schools. Know that choices have consequences," Ruto said.

Latest Stories

Ruto also called on parents to take greater responsibility for raising their children, saying schools can support learning but cannot replace the role of families.

"A school can educate a child, but it cannot raise one. Be present in your child's life," he said.

The President further announced that the government has allocated funds in the current financial year to recruit 24,000 teachers to help address staffing shortages in public schools.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki urged students to air their grievances through peaceful and lawful channels, assuring them that the government is ready to listen and respond to their concerns.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the government will establish a multi-stakeholder team comprising teachers, parents and other education stakeholders to address the root causes of the growing wave of school unrest.

The leaders' remarks come amid increasing concern over a surge in arson attacks, vandalism and student protests in schools following the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy that claimed the lives of 16 students.