UoN students hold protests as nationwide lecturers’ strike bites

Hundreds of students from across the University of Nairobi’s campuses on Monday held protests demanding the immediate resumption of classes.

The protest, marked by chants, vuvuzelas, and whistles, was organised by the University of Nairobi Students Association (UNSA) under the theme, 'Education under siege.'

The students, led by UNSA Secretary General Elisha Wasike, voiced their frustrations over the ongoing lecturers’ strike that has paralysed learning in public universities for a month.

“Our comrades have exhausted their upkeep and HELB funds, yet studies remain halted. As the saying goes, when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers,” Hillary Okoth, a student, stated.

Among the key demands raised during the protest were that the government immediately release the Sh7.9 billion owed to lecturers under the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), as cited by the University Academic Staff Union (UASU).

The students are also demanding that tuition funds for government-sponsored students be remitted without delay.

They also want the University of Nairobi’s administration to adjust the academic calendar and timetables once learning resumes, and that lecturers return to class in compliance with a recent court order suspending the strike.

Speaking at the rally, Wasike warned that students would “wreak havoc” across the university and the streets of Nairobi if their demands were not met.

The protests underscored the growing impatience among students as the impasse between the government and university staff continues.

The nationwide strike, led by UASU, KUSU, and KUDHEIHA, began in mid-September and has disrupted learning across Kenya’s 42 public universities.

Lecturers are demanding full payment of CBA arrears, citing a court order from the Employment and Labour Relations Court that directed the Ministry of Education to honour the agreement.

Despite a directive from the University of Nairobi’s administration for lecturers to resume work following the court’s suspension of the strike, many academic staff have remained defiant.

They insist that no teaching will resume until the government fulfils its financial obligations.

According to the chair of the Vice Chancellors’ Committee, Daniel Mugendi, universities affected by the strike may be forced to extend their semester dates to accommodate the lost time.

This has added pressure on institutions and students alike, many of whom are preparing for final exams and graduation.