Hear our cries and end lectures’ strike

As university students, we stand at a crossroads of frustration and hope as we watch the lecturers’ strike unfold. Led by UASU, the strike has become emblematic of a deeper crisis in our education sector. “The strike goes on unabated… The strike continues until a deal is struck.”

These words echo through our now-empty lecture halls and weigh heavily on our hearts. We feel betrayed. Despite our leaders’ esteemed academic backgrounds – a president with a PhD and a deputy president who is a professor – the government’s failure to act is deeply disappointing.

This issue transcends pay disputes; it reflects our society’s commitment to valuing education and those who devote their lives to it. While lecturers stand firm for fair treatment, we, the students, are left in a painful limbo, with our academic progress stalled and our futures uncertain. Making this worse is the silence from our MPs and Senators. Where is the advocacy we deserve from those entrusted with our future? Their inaction casts doubt on their commitment to the youth of Kenya.

Should we still hope for our future? Despite everything, we must. Amid this turmoil, we cling to the belief that change is possible. This strike should be a rallying call for a system that values education not just in words, but in action. We deserve leaders who listen, who act, and who will fight to make education the cornerstone of national progress.

Ayub Njuguna, Egerton University

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I am writing to share the concerns of many students about the ongoing lecturers’ strike and its disruptive impact on our education and aspirations. I have seen firsthand the hardships this strike has caused. The strike has led to class cancellations, departmental closures, and delays in the academic calendar. This disruption also places an unexpected financial strain on parents and guardians, who now face increased expenses from extended semesters.

While the lecturers’ demands for fair treatment are valid, it is crucial that all parties work swiftly toward a solution. A prolonged strike continues to burden students and parents, threatening the quality and accessibility of higher education.

Richard Owiyo, Kibabii University