Students from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) have taken to the streets, storming the Ministry of Education offices in protest against the indefinite closure of their institution. The university was shut down on February 3 following chaotic scenes on campus.
In viral videos shared online, a large group of students was seen outside the office of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Benedict Mutua, loudly chanting “mwizi” (thief) in protest. The demonstration quickly escalated as students marched towards Jogoo House, the headquarters of the Ministry of Education, demanding immediate action from the government.
Outside the ministry’s offices, the students were heard chanting, “Wanafunzi msilale bado mapambano,” which translates to “Students, don’t rest, the fight is still on.” Despite the protest, the Ministry of Education has remained silent regarding the university’s closure, which was ordered by the institution’s leadership.
Why TUK Was Shut Down
The university’s Senate decided to close the institution indefinitely on February 3 due to an ongoing strike by staff members over unpaid salaries. Following the closure, students were ordered to vacate the campus immediately.
Additionally, all diploma and undergraduate exams scheduled for February 3 to February 15 were suspended. The announcement was made by the university’s Academic Registrar, Dr. Moses Wamalwa, who confirmed that the Senate had reached the decision in a special meeting held on the same day.
In the statement, Dr. Wamalwa emphasized that the suspension of exams was necessary due to the industrial action taken by the staff members affiliated with the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals, and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA).
Following this decision, students were directed to vacate the university premises by 2:45 PM, while those living in university hostels were given until 5:00 PM to leave.
Reasons Behind the Strike
The lecturers and non-teaching staff downed their tools after their unions issued a seven-day strike notice, which expired without their demands being met. The main reasons for the strike include:
- Delayed Salaries: Employees claim they have not received their salaries for months. Some have not been paid since September 2024, while many others are still waiting for their December 2024 salaries.
- Unpaid Deductions: Workers have accused the university of failing to remit crucial statutory deductions, including contributions to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and various Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs).
- Unmet Agreements: The staff unions are also frustrated by the university’s failure to implement Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) that were meant to improve salaries and working conditions.
As the crisis at TUK deepens, students continue to press the government for answers, demanding an immediate resolution to the situation so they can return to their studies.
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