In March 2025, students at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) staged protests in response to a prolonged staff strike that led to the indefinite closure of the University. The strike, organized by academic and non-academic staff, was driven by unresolved grievances over salaries, promotions, and working conditions. The disruption significantly impacted academic activities, leaving students unable to complete their coursework or access university facilities.
The student protests reflect rising frustration over governance and funding issues within Kenyan higher education. The closure highlights a breakdown in institutional autonomy, where university management and government authorities appear unable to resolve labour disputes effectively, resulting in interrupted academic programs and diminished educational quality.
Comments/Recommendation
The incident underscores how systemic administrative and labour conflicts can directly or indirectly threaten academic freedom by disrupting teaching and learning. Prolonged institutional shutdowns erode students’ right to education and limit the ability of faculty to engage in their academic roles. Moreover, the lack of timely resolution mechanisms for staff grievances points to weakened institutional autonomy and governance capacity within public universities. ACAF calls for an immediate resolution of the concerns raised by the staff to enable to return to the classroom and enable student to pursue their studies.
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