- Chuka University students have demanded that striking lecturers resume teaching by October 19
- CUSA Speaker Odero David warned that the association would not allow the lecturers’ strike to derail the Class of 2026 graduation scheduled for November 20
- The students’ demands come after UASU and KUSU rejected a KSh 12 billion government offer, prolonging the nationwide strike
Chuka University students have demanded that striking lecturers return to work, warning that continued disruption could jeopardise the institution’s academic calendar and the graduation of the Class of 2026.
Source: Twitter
Addressing the press, the Chuka University Students Association (CUSA) announced that classes were expected to resume on Monday, October 19, despite the ongoing nationwide lecturers’ strike.
CUSA Speaker Odero David said students had endured prolonged academic disruptions, arguing that they were being unfairly affected by disputes between university staff and the government.
“The core business of Chuka University is academics. For far too long, over 30,000 students of this institution have borne the brunt of industrial disputes, acting as collateral damage in negotiations where our interests are sidelined,” he said.
Odero added that students were tired of being used as bargaining tools while incurring expenses, including rent, without attending classes.
The student leaders said they had given the Chuka University chapter of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) one week to join their colleagues in the nationwide strike. However, they insisted that the situation on the ground require lecturers to resume teaching.
Why Chuka University students are demanding resumption of learning
CUSA warned that it would not accept further disruptions that could affect the graduation ceremony scheduled for November 20, 2026.
“We refuse to accept any disruption that threatens the Class of 2026 graduation. This graduation must proceed as scheduled on November 20,” Odero stated.
The association called for an immediate return-to-work arrangement and urged lecturers willing to teach to resume classes without delay.
It also warned that it would push for accountability, including the dismissal of staff members unwilling to fulfil their teaching responsibilities.
“We don’t need jokes here,” the student leaders declared, warning lecturers who insist on striking and disrupting lessons for those willing to teach.
The association further urged lecturers who want to continue with the industrial action to do so away from university grounds.
“Let it be unequivocally clear that comrades will not allow anyone to interrupt classes for lecturers who are willing to teach. Any lecturer who does not want to teach and insists on striking should do so at their own home, not within the grounds of Chuka University,” the student body warned.
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Why are university lecturers on strike?
The students’ demands come amid stalled negotiations between the government and university staff unions.
On Monday, October 12, UASU and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) rejected a KSh 12 billion government offer, insisting that their concerns over the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) had not been adequately addressed.
The strike, which began on October 2, followed disputes over the implementation of the CBA and a return-to-work formula signed in November 2025.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba had earlier urged lecturers to resume teaching, saying arrears under previous CBAs had been cleared.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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