The Mt Kenya Times 
Ms Judy Ngayu addressing the conference. Photo/Courtesy.
By James Wakahiu
Mount Kenya University (MKU) has launched a strategic partnership with secondary school principals aimed at addressing student unrest and improving school governance through professional mediation training.
The initiative was unveiled during the ongoing 2026 Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) Annual National Conference in Mombasa, where education stakeholders are discussing ways to strengthen schools and support the implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE).
Through its Institute for International and Development Law (IID Law), MKU is advocating a shift from traditional punitive disciplinary approaches to proactive conflict resolution. The university is offering structured mediation training designed to help principals identify and resolve disputes before they escalate into strikes, demonstrations, or acts of arson.
Addressing the conference, Judy Ngayu, Principal of MKU’s Institute for International and Development Law (IID Law), said school heads are often the first responders when crises arise and should therefore be equipped with mediation skills to address grievances effectively.
“Through mediation training, we empower principals to address conflicts at their root, fostering stability and preventing escalation,” said Ngayu.
The programme combines expertise from IID Law and MKU’s School of Education, providing principals with practical and legal knowledge on conflict management, negotiation and dispute resolution. The collaboration seeks to help schools establish effective internal grievance-handling systems that encourage dialogue and early intervention.
At the centre of the initiative is the Certified Professional Mediation (CPM) programme, which trains participants in conflict analysis, negotiation techniques and mediation frameworks. Graduates can pursue accreditation from the Judiciary’s Mediation Accreditation Committee (MAC), enabling them to handle institutional disputes as well as court-annexed mediation cases.
According to MKU, mediation can help create school environments where students feel heard and valued, reducing the likelihood of unrest caused by unresolved concerns. Education experts attending the conference noted that student grievances related to academic pressure, welfare issues and communication gaps often contribute to disturbances in schools.
A representative from MKU’s School of Education emphasized that dialogue helps build trust between students and school administrators, making it easier to resolve issues before they become major conflicts.
To encourage participation, MKU announced a special incentive for KESSHA delegates. Principals enrolling in the CPM programme through IID Law will receive a Sh3,000 discount on application fees when using a designated conference referral code.
University officials said the initiative reflects MKU’s commitment to supporting educational leadership and promoting safer, more stable learning environments. They expressed confidence that wider adoption of mediation practices could reduce incidents of student unrest, improve school climates, enhance academic performance and strengthen relationships within school communities.
KESSHA members welcomed the proposal, noting that principals face growing challenges in managing increasingly complex student issues. Many expressed interest in enrolling in the mediation programme as part of their professional development.
MKU believes the partnership could transform how schools handle disputes by placing mediation and dialogue at the centre of school leadership, governance and conflict resolution. If widely adopted, the approach could help create more stable learning environments and redefine how educational institutions across Kenya address conflicts.
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- Mt Kenya Times ePAPER August 13, 2026
- The deputy’s dilemma: Gachagua warns Kindiki he is next
- KEMSA chief outlines supply chain reforms ahead of health summit
- Why Audi’s smaller models are often more desirable than their bigger brothers
- The politics of tomorrow: Why Kenya keeps replacing the future with the next election
About the Author
