Chaos erupted in Nairobi on Tuesday as University of Nairobi (UoN) students held a massive protest demanding the immediate resumption of classes following a prolonged lecturers’ strike. The demonstration, organized by the University of Nairobi Students Association (UNSA), began at the students’ hostels before spilling onto State House Road, where protesters lit bonfires and blocked traffic.
Chanting “Education Under Siege,” the students waved banners, blew vuvuzelas, and marched in unison to express frustration over the continued disruption of learning. Witnesses reported that security officers from State House responded swiftly, arriving in a white vehicle to disperse the demonstrators and clear the blocked roads.
Unshaken, the protesters regrouped and moved towards University Way, where they once again barricaded the busy highway, bringing traffic to a standstill. The unrest caused significant traffic snarl-ups across the city center as motorists sought alternative routes.
Speaking during the protest, UNSA Secretary General Wasike Elisha urged the government to urgently intervene and resolve the stalemate between lecturers and the university administration.
“Our education is being held hostage. We are tired of sitting idle while our future is in limbo,” Elisha said.
Another student, Hillary Okoth, lamented the financial strain on learners, noting that many have exhausted their upkeep and HELB funds due to the prolonged academic paralysis.
“As the saying goes, when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. We are the victims of this impasse,” Okoth added.
The lecturers’ strike, which has lasted nearly a month, has disrupted learning in multiple universities across the country. Students now warn that if the deadlock persists, they will escalate their protests until their grievances are addressed.
