Students from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) students have been teargassed outside the Ministry of Education offices.
The students were engaged in running battles by police officers in Nairobi CBD, as they engaged in demonstrations, demanding answers on the sudden closure of their university.
Chanting slogans and holding placards, the students asked the government to issue immediate intervention, address the crisis and reopen the university.
The university’s lecturers had earlier announced that they would hold an industrial action on February 12.
According to them, the Ministry of Education had the capacity to provide solutions (short-term and long-term) to the problems the staff are facing.
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Demands to the Ministry of Education
They demanded that the ministry hold a meeting with the TUK council and unions and that the staff members escalate, upscale and intensify the strike until their demands are met.
However, the staff did not clarify whether the meeting took place or not.
Consequently, the lecturers vowed to stay away from classes starting February 13, 2025, until their January salaries are paid. Since then, learning and other academic activities at the institution was disrupted.
“In view of the unexplained delay in the payment of January 2025 salaries, please note that our members will not be able to report to work and/or carry out their duties from tomorrow, 13th February 2025, until payment of salaries is effected,” the lecturers stated at the time.
Also Read: Technical University of Kenya to Cut Staff Salaries
TUK Students Ordered to Go Home
The university students were on Monday, February 3 ordered to go home with immediate effect and all diploma and undergraduate examinations that were scheduled to begin were postponed because of protests.
At the same time, the students in the halls of residence were ordered to vacate the premises.
The protests, led by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), the TUK branch, and the KUDHEIHA Workers’ Committee TUK shop, began on January 14, 2025.
The unions accused the Ministry of Education of delaying staff salary disbursements and causing financial distress among employees.
KUSU Acting Chairperson Yucabed Gwaya stated that despite granting the employer ample time to settle the arrears, their pleas had been ignored.
As a result, many staff members have been pushed into financial hardship and depression, struggling to support their families and meet financial obligations despite being formally employed.
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