Hundreds of University of Nairobi students blocked a section of Waiyaki Way, in protest at the lecturers’ strike that has disrupted learning in public universities.
Some students said the strike had interrupted their studies. Others warned it could delay their graduation and leave them waiting longer for their degrees.
"Niko idle sana...ni hata nitakua mwizi"-A University of Nairobi Comrade
The final weeks before graduation are usually a time for fitting gowns, inviting relatives and celebrating years of study. For many students in Kenya’s public universities, those plans are now in doubt.
The lecturers’ strike, which began on October 2, 2026, has disrupted learning nationwide. Students say they do not know when normal teaching will resume or whether they will finish in time for their expected graduation dates.
Finalists are among the worst affected. Those who still have exams to sit, marks to resolve or departmental clearance to complete could see their timelines pushed back if the strike continues.
Graduation season under uncertainty
Graduation marks years of study, exams and financial sacrifice. Many families have planned and saved for it, sometimes for years.
Students due to graduate in the coming weeks now face doubt over whether they will meet all the requirements in time.
The cost of waiting for a degree
A delayed graduation can affect more than a student’s academic record, as it can also hold up job hunting, further studies and the start of a regular income.
Some employers ask for proof that applicants have completed their qualifications, so students still waiting for final results or official confirmation may struggle to apply for such roles.
Students caught in the middle
The strike stems from a dispute between university staff unions and employers over the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), but it is students who are bearing many of the consequences.
