Tindiret MP Julius Melly has raised concerns that increased exposure to social media content among students is contributing to recent cases of protests and arson attacks in schools.

Speaking during a morning talk show on Emoo FM on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Melly said the unregulated use of social media among learners is exposing them to negative influences that are being replicated within school environments.

“The unregulated use of social media among our students is making them consume negative content online,” he said.

Impact of exposure

The legislator argued that students are increasingly accessing information about ongoing national events and protests, which he claimed is influencing behaviour within learning institutions.

“They are now getting more information about what is going on in the country and linking it to protests. In some cases, they are taking what they see online and implementing it in their schools,” Melly added.

He further called for stronger regulation of social media content accessible to children, saying such measures could help curb unrest and reduce exposure to harmful material online.

Ichung’wah’s take on unrest

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah also called on leaders and the public to embrace peaceful forms of protest, warning that violent demonstrations could be influencing rising cases of unrest in schools across the country.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Ichung’wah echoed concerns raised by Susan Kihika, who questioned whether students involved in school protests could be copying the destructive behaviour often witnessed during political and public demonstrations.

Ichung’wah noted that some protests in the country have been characterised by arson, destruction of property and attacks on private businesses, creating a dangerous example for young people.

“I heard the Governor for Nakuru over the weekend pose the question, could these young ones be learning from us that whenever we want to protest, we must burn down buildings, we must burn down people’s shops and people’s cars,” Ichung’wah said.