MOD REAFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT TO THE SAFE SCHOOLS DECLARATION

The Fifth International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration, held in Nairobi under the theme “Safe Education for All: A Decade of Commitment — A Call to Action through the Safe Schools Declaration,” convened with a dedicated session on preventing the military use of educational facilities.

The three-day event explored various discussions centered on safeguarding education during armed conflict. At the heart of the Declaration are guidelines aimed at protecting schools and universities from military use.

These guidelines clearly state that educational institutions should not be used to support military operations, and that the right to education must be upheld even in times of conflict.

Representing the Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Soipan Tuya, the Secretary of Administration at Defence Headquarters (SA), Mr. Isaac Masinde, delivered the keynote address during a session titled “Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use: Upholding International Humanitarian Law and the Key Role of Armed Actors.” The session was chaired by the Deputy Child Rights Director at Human Rights Watch, Mr. Bede Sheppard.

In his remarks, Mr. Masinde emphasized that the right to education must be protected even during periods of insecurity, noting that when schools are attacked or militarized, the hopes and futures of entire generations are endangered.

He reaffirmed the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to adhering to the guidelines for protecting schools and universities from military use during armed conflict. These guidelines, grounded in International Humanitarian Law (IHL), uphold key principles such as civilian protection, distinction, and proportionality.

“Kenya’s commitment is realized through concrete measures. For example, through its Civil–Military Cooperation framework, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has supported the construction, rehabilitation, and upkeep of schools in conflict-affected regions, reinforcing stability and expanding educational access,” Mr. Masinde stated.

The SA also highlighted the significant role of the African Union (AU) in institutionalizing these protections, noting that the AU has integrated the principles of the Safe Schools Declaration into its policy and operational frameworks for Peace Support Operations (PSOs).

In conclusion, the Secretary of Administration affirmed that protecting education is both a moral duty and a core professional standard for all armed forces.