University students have been ordered to go home with immediate effect through a notice issued on Monday, February 3.
The notice from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) explained that the decision was made following a special meeting.
Consequently, the students have been directed to leave the university premises by 2.45 PM.
Additionally, the Technical University of Kenya has announced that all diploma and undergraduate examinations that were scheduled to begin had been postponed because of an ongoing protest.
“We would like to inform all the members of staff and the student fraternity that the University Senate in its special meeting held on 3rd February 2025.
“Consequently, all diploma and undergraduate students are directed to vacate the University premises by 2.45 pm today Monday, February 3, 2025,”
At the same time, the students in the halls of residence have been ordered to vacate the premises by 5.00 PM on Monday, February 3, 2025.
“Further updates will be communicated in due course,” added the university.
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Why TUK University Employees and Students Are Protesting
The protests, led by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), the TUK branch and the KUDHEIHA Workers’ Committee TUK shop, began on January 14, 2025.
According to the unions, the Ministry of Education had delayed disbursing the salaries of staff within the institution.
Further, KUSU Acting Chairperson Yucabed Gwaya said that they had given the employer sufficient time to clear the arrears, but their demands had been ignored.
Consequently, the institution had driven some staff into depression as they struggled to provide for their families and meet financial obligations despite being employed.
Also Read: Shock for TUK Graduating Class as Course Found Unaccredited
Other Concerns Raised by the Unions
The leaders of the three unions also warned that if their members did not receive their December salaries by the end of Monday, January 13, they would boycott classes, potentially disrupting examinations scheduled for the week.
Therefore, they called on the government to intervene before the university’s financial crisis escalated.
“We will hold a major picket to present our petitions to the National Assembly, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Education on Tuesday,”
“We demand that the government, through the Ministry of Education and the University Council, pay TU-K employees their December 2024 salaries immediately and resolve the outstanding financial issues to prevent the imminent closure of the Technical University of Kenya,” TUK Chapter Secretary Fred Sawenja announced.
Among the concerns raised are staff stagnation, which union members say has hindered their performance over the years, and Ksh1 billion in arrears from the 2010-2013 local CBA and the 2017-2021 national CBA.
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