University students forced to seek odd jobs as lecturers’ strike drags into sixth week

The students have expressed fear that the prolonged disruption of learning affects their timelines for completing their studies, with some now forced to seek odd jobs to navigate the unexpected financial difficulties as they wait to resume their studies. 

When he joined Kenyatta University two years ago, Teddy Odida never imagined that he would be selling spare parts in Industrial Area, Nairobi.

But the prolonged lecturers’ strike, with no end in sight, has forced him to look for odd jobs to navigate the unexpected financial difficulties.

“Strike imeingilia imebidi nikuje nitafute side hustle hapa nitafute upkeep nitaute rent na kitu ya kunisustain Nairobi kumbuka kwetu ni ushago,” he said.

Unlike Teddy, who has opted to spend this downtime constructively, the idleness has left thousands of others vulnerable to social vices.

“Saizi tuko na wanafunzi kadhaa wasichana wadogo wanaishi na vijana kwa nyumba zao sio kwa sababu wanataka but kwa sababu ya strike. Students are idle,” another student said.

The lecturers’ strike, which enters its 40th day, began in September 2025, shortly after the start of the new academic year.

Even if UASU and IPUCCF were to come to an agreement by yesterday and classes resumed on Monday, November 3, 2025, it is still too late to complete a full 16-week semester in the remaining time before December.

As calls for the readjustment of the academic calendar to cover lost time continue to mount, the incessant strikes continue to affect learning outcomes.

“For example, students who you had set on a certain pace then you come to withdraw then you come back to reconnect, that is where we get challenges here and there,” one lecturer explained.

After a prolonged standoff, the government finally acknowledged that the newly verified data shows lecturers are owed Ksh.7.9 billion in unpaid arrears from the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The dons, however, on Friday rejected the government’s proposal of a staggered payment plan, demanding full payment.

“Following the audit, I can confirm that what needs to be paid is 7.9 billion,” said PS Inyangala.

“We have agreed, but why are you not paying? You told the nation you are ready to pay, so why are you not paying?” said Ombati.

The fate of thousands of students is now in limbo as they call on the parties involved to take their plea into consideration.

“People are out there doing petty politics at such a time when higher education is being threatened. What do you discuss as a government?” one student lamented.

“If you want to destroy the country, destroy its higher education, that one has been said even by the president. But where is action on that? If they are not destroying the country, then why are we on the streets?” another student added.