The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Transport along Waiyaki Way was thrown into disarray on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, after University of Nairobi (UoN) students barricaded part of the busy road to protest the ongoing lecturers’ strike.
The demonstrations came on the 19th day of the industrial action, with students demanding urgent government intervention to end the standoff between university lecturers and the authorities.
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The students said the prolonged strike had disrupted their studies, leaving them uncertain about when lectures and other academic activities would resume.
Addressing demonstrators, University of Nairobi Students Association (UNSA) President Ahmed Rashid Burrow accused the Ministry of Education of failing to address the crisis and protect students’ academic interests.
“Our lecturers must be paid; the Ministry of Education has failed us,” Burrow said.
The protesters urged the government to resolve the lecturers’ grievances, arguing that students should not continue suffering the consequences of the dispute.
Students demand immediate resolution
The demonstrations followed mounting frustration among learners over the continued disruption of university education as lecturers remained away from classrooms.
By blocking a section of Waiyaki Way, the students sought to draw public attention to the impact of the strike and pressure the government and other stakeholders to reach an agreement.
The industrial action has disrupted teaching schedules and raised concerns over examinations, academic programme completion and possible changes to university calendars.
Burrow’s remarks reflected the students’ dissatisfaction with the authorities’ handling of the dispute, with protesters insisting that a lasting solution was necessary to restore normal learning.
They called on the government and university staff unions to engage in negotiations and reach an agreement that would prevent further interruptions to academic activities.
Why university lecturers are on strike
The lecturers’ strike began on October 2, 2026, following disagreements over the implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The industrial action involves university staff unions, including the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU).
The unions have raised concerns over the implementation of agreed employment terms, including salaries, allowances and other financial commitments.
The dispute has disrupted teaching and learning across public universities, leaving students uncertain about when their academic programmes will return to normal.
As the strike continues, UoN students have intensified calls for government intervention, demanding that the outstanding issues be resolved to allow lectures to resume.
The protests along Waiyaki Way added a transport disruption to the growing effects of the industrial dispute, as students used the busy highway to press their demands for an end to the strike.
