UON Students Leaders Threaten Protests, Demand End to Lecturers’ Strike

Story by Violet Kerubo

University of Nairobi students have threatened to stage demonstrations and paralyse traffic along Waiyaki Way to pressure the government into resolving the ongoing lecturers’ strike, now in its fourth week.
The students have accused the Ministry of Education of failing to demonstrate commitment to ending the industrial action, warning that continued delays are disrupting learning and putting students under increasing pressure.
Speaking during the protest, University of Nairobi Students Association Secretary General said students were frustrated by the government’s silence, claiming that some students were facing arrests while others were experiencing serious personal challenges.
They maintained that university students would not remain silent as the dispute continued, insisting that the strike was affecting learners across all public universities in the country.
They said the student leadership was prepared to mobilise learners nationwide to demand an immediate resolution, warning that demonstrations would continue until the government addressed the lecturers’ grievances.

They also criticised the government for what they termed as lack of prioritisation of education.
They threatened that students would march to the National Treasury to demand the release of funds needed to pay lecturers, insisting that university lecturers must return to class within the week.
They also threatened for further action against the Ministry of Education, accusing officials of failing to resolve the impasse. He further challenged the government to demonstrate that adequate funding was available for the student-centred alternative funding model.
University of Nairobi Students Association President Ahmed Rashid called for the resignation of Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala, accusing them of failing to resolve the strike.
Rashid said university students were bearing the greatest burden of the dispute, warning that prolonged disruption could undermine higher education in the country.
He also called on students from all public universities to unite in demanding accountability from the Ministry of Education.
The lecturers’ strike has disrupted learning at public universities, with students now demanding urgent government intervention to restore normal academic activities.
The student leaders maintained that they would intensify their protests if the government failed to address their concerns.