County Issues Guidelines for Handling Teenage Issues in City Schools

In a proactive move to support adolescent well-being, the Nairobi City County Government has issued new guidelines in 2025 aimed at helping schools manage teenage-related issues more effectively. The framework, developed through the Department for Youth Affairs and the County Education Office, addresses rising concerns around mental health, substance abuse, peer pressure, and reproductive health among students. The guidelines are designed to equip teachers, school administrators, and parents with tools to identify, respond to, and prevent challenges that commonly affect teenagers in urban settings.
The policy builds on insights from the Situation Analysis of Kenyan Adolescents by UNICEF, which highlights that over 11 million adolescents in Kenya face a range of social and emotional pressures during their transition to adulthood. Nairobi’s guidelines recommend the establishment of school-based wellness clubs, peer counseling programs, and regular life skills workshops. They also encourage schools to collaborate with local health centers and youth organizations to provide access to professional counseling and reproductive health education. The initiative aligns with broader national efforts to integrate psychosocial support into the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Stakeholders have welcomed the move, noting that it reflects a growing awareness of the complex realities facing today’s youth. These guidelines are timely and necessary, said a school principal in Dagoretti. We’re seeing more students struggling with anxiety, identity issues, and risky behavior. Having a structured response helps us intervene early and positively. The county plans to roll out training sessions for teachers and guidance counselors in early 2026, with pilot programs already underway in select sub-counties. As Nairobi continues to grow, the county’s commitment to adolescent well-being signals a shift toward more holistic, student-centered education.