A staggering 90% of students in Kenyan higher learning institutions have experienced some form of violence, according to Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala. This revelation was made during the graduation ceremony of Jukwaa La Wasomi Certified Professional Mediators at the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies. The research-based figures indicate that the violence takes different forms, including physical and online abuse.
Female students account for the highest proportion of victims, making up 65% of those who have experienced violence. Inyangala expressed concern over the abuse that learners could be enduring silently, particularly as universities and TVET institutions admit new students from high school. The PS emphasized that the statistics are worrying, and the government is taking steps to address the issue.
The Jukwaa La Wasomi programme is a student-led national initiative on mediation and preventive security. The graduates of this programme will sit in subcounty security committee meetings, contributing directly to decision-making. They will also strengthen efforts to combat drug and substance abuse in learning institutions and support government cohesion initiatives aimed at promoting a culture of civility.
The graduation ceremony marked the International Day of Peace and the launch of the Kenya National Mediation Hub. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen presided over the event, which was attended by senior education officials and stakeholders. The hub will link over 30,000 university, TVET, college, and school-based mediation hubs across the country to National Government Administration Officers and other agencies.
The Kenya National Mediation Hub aims to strengthen security management within and around learning institutions. Murkomen announced plans to put in place a multi-agency framework to institutionalize this model, ensuring its effectiveness. The event was attended by notable figures, including Vice Chancellors Forum chairperson Prof Daniel Mugendi and UoN Vice Chancellor Prof Ayub Gitau.
The government is taking steps to address the issue of violence in learning institutions. Inyangala celebrated the graduation of the Jukwaa La Wasomi mediators, who will play a crucial role in promoting peace and security in schools. The PS emphasized the importance of this initiative, particularly in the current context where learners are vulnerable to various forms of abuse.
Key stakeholders, including education officials and representatives from various organizations, attended the event. The launch of the Kenya National Mediation Hub and the graduation of the Jukwaa La Wasomi mediators mark a significant step towards promoting peace and security in Kenyan learning institutions. The government aims to create a safe environment for learners to focus on their studies.
Key points
- 90% of Kenyan students have experienced some form of violence.
- Female students account for 65% of victims of violence in learning institutions.
- The government has launched the Kenya National Mediation Hub to strengthen security management in learning institutions.
