Students at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) have taken to the streets to protest a lecturers' strike that has paralysed learning for nearly a month. They warned that the prolonged standoff is exposing them to financial hardship, psychological distress and social risks.
The students, led by Students Association chairman Wycliff Omondi and Jennifer Muriithi, also held a press conference in Juja on Tuesday, October 27. They called on the government and lecturers to urgently resolve their differences so that academic activities can resume.
They said the disruption has left thousands of learners uncertain about their academic future. Some are struggling to decide whether to go home or stay near the university while they wait for classes to reopen.
Beyond lost learning time, the students raised concerns about the effects of prolonged idleness. They cited increased vulnerability to crime, theft, drug and alcohol abuse and, among some female students, the risk of early pregnancies.
Omondi said he had received reports of students being arrested and taken to police stations over alleged criminal activities and alcohol-related incidents. He warned that the situation could undermine students' academic progress and expose them to circumstances with lasting effects on their education and personal lives.
Megan Mugure and Samuel Omondi said the uncertainty had taken a toll on students, many of whom are dealing with stress, mounting expenses and no clear date for the resumption of lectures. They warned that prolonged inactivity could push vulnerable students towards drug and alcohol abuse.
The students said those living near the university face a difficult choice: stay in rented accommodation and keep paying bills without attending classes, or travel home and incur extra costs while waiting for the dispute to end. They said neither option offers relief.
They said parents and guardians are under growing pressure to meet upkeep costs, with rent and food bills continuing to accumulate. They also questioned the burden on families supporting students through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), saying available assistance had not removed the challenges of sustaining university life during the shutdown.
The strike has heightened anxiety among students nearing the end of their programmes, particularly those who had expected to graduate before the end of the year.
Muriithi and Wilsmith Odhiambo said they had expected to complete their studies and graduate by the end of 2026 but are now unsure whether they will. They expressed frustration that the dispute between lecturers and the government has continued without a breakthrough, leaving students to bear the consequences. They said the uncertainty is making it difficult to plan their academic and personal lives, including their transition into employment.
The students called on both sides to prioritise negotiations and reach an agreement that would allow learning to resume.
Lopez Kiterre criticised what he described as misplaced government spending priorities. He said more attention and resources should go to pressing public concerns, including education, lecturers' pay and challenges in the health sector.
The students warned that prolonged disruption could lead to some learners abandoning their studies. They also raised concern that idle and frustrated students could become vulnerable to political exploitation, with politicians seeking to mobilise them for partisan interests.
The student leaders urged the government to intervene urgently, resolve the outstanding issues with lecturers and ensure that any dues owed to academic staff are addressed so that classes can resume. They also asked their colleagues to remain calm, avoid criminal activities and substance abuse, and avoid decisions that could jeopardise their education.
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