Students from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) have been left stranded after the university was ordered to shut down indefinitely following a strike by staff over delayed salaries.
The announcement made late on Monday, February 3, followed the suspension of all diploma and undergraduate examinations scheduled for February 3–15.
For the better part of Monday, the university was paralysed after students joined lecturers who started their go slow. The university ordered all students to vacate the student residence by 5pm yesterday.
In a statement, the university's Academic Registrar, Dr Moses Wamalwa, said the suspension of exams took effect immediately.
"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, resolved to suspend the diploma and undergraduate university examinations scheduled for 3rd-15th February 2025 due to the ongoing industrial action by members of staff of UASU and KUSU," the statement read.
Following the suspension, all students were directed to leave the university by 2:45pm while those residing in the university were given until 5pm to vacate.
"Consequently, all diploma and undergraduate students are directed to vacate the university premises by 2:45pm today, Monday, February 3, 2025. Subsequently, the students in the halls of residence should vacate the premises by 5:00pm today, Monday, February 3, 2025," the statement added.
The lecturers began their go slow after the expiration of a seven-day notice period issued by 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).
The strike is a response to several issues, including repeated delays in salary payments, with employees noting that their December 2024 salaries are overdue, and some have not received wages as far back as September 2024.
Moreover, there are claims that the university has neglected to send required statutory deductions, such as those for the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and contributions to various Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs).
"We are here today because the strike notice we issued through the UASU National Secretary-General Constantine Wesonga to Parliament, the Treasury, and the Ministry of Education about our grievances has not been honoured," TUK Chapter Secretary General Fred Savanje said in January.
The unions have also expressed frustration over the non-implementation of agreed-upon Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), which outline terms for salary increments and improved working conditions.
Students from Kenyatta University and the University of Nairobi also protested on Monday over the delayed disbursement of HELB.
