The Technical University of Kenya (TUK) has canceled all diploma and undergraduate exams set to take place from February 3-15, 2025 due to the ongoing lecturers’ strike led by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU).
This comes after a special meeting of the University Senate where the institution decided to send students home until further notice.
Highlights
Students Evacuated
- All diploma and undergraduate students were told to leave the university premises by 2:45 PM today.
- Students in university hostels were given till 5:00 PM to exit.
Strike Background
- UASU and KUSU issued a strike notice on January 16, 2025 demanding implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
- The government signed the CBA in 2024 but failed to implement key provisions including:
- Payment of salary arrears for October and November 2024
- Salary adjustments for December 2024
Lecturers’ Gripes
- UASU Organizing Secretary, Onesmas Muluki expressed frustration over delayed payments saying some lecturers had not received their November and December salaries.
- The union accuses the government of not honoring salary adjustments leaving lecturers financially strained during the December holidays.
Academic Calendar in Chaos
- The University Senate assured students that further updates will be communicated.
- With no end in sight, academic activities will remain disrupted until the government and unions agree.
What Now for Students?
- Monitor official university announcements for exam resumption.
- Follow UASU and KUSU negotiations with the government.
- Explore alternative learning options if the strike persists.
This latest hitch is the latest in a long list of university funding, lecturers’ welfare and higher education instability in Kenya.
