Gov't plans to include student leaders in county security committees

The government is considering a plan to include student leaders, deans of students, and campus chief security officers in county and sub-county security and intelligence committees, in an effort to ensure that the concerns of students are addressed promptly and effectively.

According to Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo, the proposal is part of a broader plan to strengthen student participation in security structures and ensure that learning institutions remain safe spaces for all.

“We must embrace our student leaders in these structures so that we are able to pick up information or issues in good time and intervene before problems escalate,” he said, urging institutions to partner with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) to facilitate regular countering violent extremism (CVE) dialogues.

“Our goal is to create an ecosystem where learning thrives free from fear, manipulation, or harm. Security begins with awareness, partnership, and shared responsibility – and our students must be part of that equation. This is part of our broader effort to foster stronger partnerships between student leaders and security agencies, and to create awareness on the role of the youth in promoting peace,” said the PS.

Speaking during the Jukwaa La Wasomi series at the University of Nairobi, Dr. Omollo said the Ministry has partnered with the Universities and Colleges Students’ Peace Association of Kenya (UCSPAK) to enhance engagement between students and security agencies nationwide.

“We continue to organize bountiful meetings between student leaders and county security committees so that we can enhance youth peace and security both at the county level and nationally,” he added.

The forum brought together deans of students, university administrators, and representatives from higher learning institutions, marking the culmination of a series of discussions highlighting the need for continuous engagement with students on matters of safety and security.

Participants at the convention proposed several safety measures, including the installation of CCTV systems and streetlights around campuses, fencing of institutional premises, early issuance of student IDs, and involving student leaders in county-level intelligence and security discussions.

They also called for stronger coordination among universities, security agencies, and communities to mitigate insecurity and foster safer learning environments.

The Nyumba Kumi model will be expanded to include students living off-campus, while orientation programs will integrate safety and security briefings.

Among other issues discussed were drug and substance abuse, insecurity around campuses, gender-based violence, radicalization, mental health, academic integrity, and unemployment.

Dr. Omollo described the rate of gender-based violence in learning institutions as alarming, noting that about 36 percent of students experience such cases.

“To think that such cases are being experienced within our institutions of higher learning is a wake-up call. It is a clear indication that something has gone terribly amiss. We must therefore find sustainable and collective solutions to address this challenge and restore safety, dignity, and trust in our learning environments,” he said.

The forum also underscored the need for preventive measures against drug and substance abuse, calling for a standardized national approach by NACADA, more counseling services, collaboration with parents and community leaders, and tighter regulation of alcohol and drug advertisements targeting young audiences.

Dr. Omollo further highlighted the government’s plan to expand the NYOTA Program, a youth empowerment initiative targeting young people aged 18 to 29 who may not have progressed beyond secondary education.

“Across all the 47 counties, we are rolling out what we are calling the NYOTA Program, which is targeting young people between the ages of 18 and 29 years. These are youths who may not have pursued education beyond Form Four, yet they represent a significant portion of our population,” he explained.

The program aims to reach 70 young people in each of the 1,450 wards across the country, offering them a Ksh.50,000 cash grant to support entrepreneurship and income-generating ventures while recognizing prior learning, especially technical skills acquired informally.