Former University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Peter Mulwa Mbithi, who served in the role from 2015 to 2019, has been appointed to chair a 52-member task team tasked with investigating recurring unrest in schools across the country.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced the appointments in a Gazette notice dated Friday, October 23, detailing the team’s membership, mandate and terms of service.
“The Task Team shall subsist for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of publication of this notice,” the notice stated.
According to the notice, the team will operate for 90 days, during which it will review previous reports on school unrest, assess gaps in implementing past recommendations and investigate the immediate and underlying causes of the 2026 incidents that disrupted learning and forced schools across the country to close.
Former University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Peter Mulwa Mbithi gives a speech during a past event.
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Its mandate also includes reviewing school safety standards and emergency preparedness measures, assessing boarding school management and infrastructure, examining the affordability of uniforms, and investigating links between school unrest, education funding and school fees.
Members will further review student discipline, counselling services, mental health support, learner welfare and the accountability of school administrators, parents, education officials and other stakeholders.
The team is required to submit monthly progress reports to the CS and a final report at the end of its term, while also inviting views from education stakeholders and members of the public.
Other appointments made in the notice include several prominent figures in education and academia, among them former Maseno University VC Julius Nyabundi, Council of Legal Education (CLE) chairperson Collins Odote and Kenyatta University Associate Professor Jackline Nyerere.
Dr Purity Ngina, who gained national recognition in 2018 as Kenya’s youngest PhD graduate at the age of 28, was also appointed to the team.
Teacher and parent representatives also feature in the team, including Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Collins Henry Oyuu and National Parents Association (NPA) chair Silas David Obuhatsa.
Assistant Inspector General of Police George Lenny Kisaka, former Nairobi County education executive Janet Ouko and Leila Abdi Ali, who has previously served under the Teachers Service Commission, were also appointed
Other team members of the task team include Abdulahi Hassan, Agnes Ngonyo, Allan Sitima, Alphonse Kanga, Andiwo Obondoh, Anita Kiptum, Boaz Omori Munga, Boniface Ndirangu, Charles Kyalo Mutinda, Charles Sai Tabau, Cleophas Ondieki, Edward Obwocha, Elizabeth Chepchumba Birgen, Ernest Alela, F. E. Mathe, Faraja Precious, Gloria Edna Wawira, alongside former Busia County executive Kizito Wangalwa.
Additionally, the notice listed James Nyabuto Ombati, Jane Mwangi, Joseph Patrick Kitur, Joseph Wasikhongo, Kepha Nyandega, Lydia Macharia, Margaret Nyambura Njaggah, Mary Mwandi, Mercy Igoki, Mohamed Ibrahim Abdullahi, Monicah Orero, Nicholas Muasya, Nicodemus Mutuku Musyoka, Olipha Omburi Nyakhuru, Paul Wandere, Peter Karanja, Purity Mbaabu, Rose Eteye, Ruth Ngonyoku, Simon Mwangi Muita, Sujatha Kotamraju, Tioko Lorgion and Titus Yego.
Eight joint secretaries have also been appointed to support the task team, with Head of the Directorate of Secondary Education William Sugut designated as the lead secretary.
Other appointed secretaries include Joshua Wabwire, Christine Siranga, Faith Nkatha, Gikambi Zipporah Kawira, Hellen Avisa, Kindi Seyianoi Monicah and Rashid Mohammed.
The appointments come months after Ogamba announced plans in June to establish the multi-stakeholder team amid rising cases of student unrest and school fires that disrupted learning in about 204 secondary schools across the country.
A partly burnt section of the dormitory building at Utumishi Girls in Nakuru, May 28, 2026.
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MP Ndindi Nyoro