The Technical University of Kenya students stormed the vice chancellor’s office and the offices of the Ministry of Education two weeks after the university ordered immediate closure.
The students have demanded the immediate reopening of the institution that was closed on February 3, following chaotic scenes.
In videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke, a huge group of students can be seen outside the office of Prof Benedict Mutua, the Vice-Chancellor, chanting ‘mwizi’.
Videos online show the students have proceeded to Jogoo House, which houses the Ministry of Education. The students are demanding answers from the government over the indefinite closure of the institution earlier this month.
Outside Jogoo House the students sang, "Wanafunzi msilale bado mapambano (students don't rest, the fight is still on)." The Ministry of Education did not comment on the closure that was ordered by the university leadership.
On February 3, the University Senate ordered the indefinite closure of TUK following a strike by staff over delayed salaries. The university ordered all students to vacate the student residence.
The announcement followed the suspension of all diploma and undergraduate examinations scheduled for February 3–15. 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.
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).
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.
