Police on Tuesday, February 25 fired tear gas to disperse Technical University of Kenya (TUK) students protesting against the institution’s continued closure due to a lecturers’ strike.

The students, demonstrating in Nairobi’s CBD, were marching towards the Ministry of Education headquarters at Jogoo House, demanding the government to intervene and resolve the crisis that has led to TUK’s prolonged closure.

The strike, driven by long-standing grievances over salary payments, has paralysed learning in the institution.

The lecturers, while downing their tools, highlighted several grievances, including u8npaid salaries dating back to September 2024. They also allege that the university has failed to remit statutory deductions such as the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), and SACCO contributions.

Staff unions have also raised concerns over delays in government funding to the university, making it difficult to cover the payroll. They question how the university is expected to pay its workers when it receives inadequate financial support from the government.

With the university closed indefinitely, students say their education is being impacted negatively. They argue that they have already lost too much learning time and want the government to step in and resolve the lecturers’ grievances so that classes can resume.

The protest started peacefully but turned chaotic when police blocked the students from reaching Jogoo House.