By Editor
Student leaders from Kenyatta University delivered a blistering critique of the government and university administrations on Tuesday, demanding an immediate resolution to a nationwide lecturer strike that has paralyzed public universities for weeks.
Speaking at a press conference, the students issued a 24-hour ultimatum, warning they will mobilize for “large-scale demonstrations” if their demands go unmet.
The student leaders framed the ongoing strike, which has halted classes for up to two months at some institutions, as a profound failure of leadership.
They rejected the idea that their generation must “sacrifice their academic calendar due to chronic administrative and governmental failure.”
“We will not be sacrificed on the altar of political germanism or fiscal negligence,” declared one student leader, reading from a collective statement. “The clock is ticking. The student patience has run out.”
The coalition presented three core demands:1. An immediate and time-bound return to negotiations between the government, university administrations, and lecturers.2. Absolute accountability from all parties for the lost learning hours, arguing they have paid tuition fees for services not rendered.3. A concrete, public plan for recovering the lost time to prevent a “lost semester or delayed graduation for thousands of students.”
The frustration stems from a stalemate over a collective bargaining agreement that lecturers say the government has failed to honor since 2018.
Adding a human face to the crisis, student Stacy Juliet described the dire situation on campus. “As comrades, we are just in the hostels,” she said. “The money we budgeted for the semester is almost gone… no food.”
She also highlighted the anxiety of facing a “marathon” of compressed classes once the strike ends with no financial means to support themselves.
Another student pointed out that the strike has affected non-teaching staff, closing critical offices like finance. With fee payment deadlines looming, students fear they may be blocked from taking end-of-year exams even if the strike ends.
Deputy Majority Leader Barre Otieno Desmond from Kenyatta University solidified the deadline. “We are tired,” he stated. “In the next 48 hours, if nothing happens… we will join the demonstrations that are currently ongoing.”
Other speakers, including Valentine Nyanchama and Steve Biko, echoed the 24 to 48-hour ultimatum, promising to “be on the roads” to fight for their educational rights.
The student body now waits to see if the government and lecturers will heed their call before the deadline expires, potentially triggering a new wave of protests led by the very students caught in the middle.
