The sad state of Nakuru university students, amidst lecturers nationwide strike

The nationwide lecturers’ strike has been on for the last two months now, leaving students in limbo.

As the saying goes, fahali wawili wakipigana ni nyasi huumia.

Mtaa Wangu made its way to one of the hostels in Nakuru close to the CBD. Since it was a Tuesday afternoon, you would expect the hostels to be empty, with most of the students in school.

However, this was not the case.

Loud music and movies from sound systems filled the corridors.

As we made our way with Njeri, a third-year IT student, she explained to us that this has been the situation for the last two months.

“There are those students who decided to go back home, but a majority decided to stay and reside in the hostels. Since there is nothing better to do, we just watch movies. Kuinama nayo ni constant, you don’t have the luxury to eat three meals a day,” she says smiling.

During an interview with Njai Jackson, the President of the Student Governing Council of Nakuru (SGCN), he says that most university students feel hopeless and wasted.

“Many parents have gone out of their way to take their children to different public universities across the country. In the current economy, university fees are not cheap. This semester is almost over, and there hasn’t been any learning that has taken place,” he laments.

Jackson adds, “When we have such prolonged strikes, there are those students who drop out of university entirely, as they see it as a waste of time and money. On the other hand, there are those who were supposed to graduate and get absorbed in some organizations but remain confused,” he adds.

Jackson agrees with the observation we made, admitting that the students are also finding themselves engaging in vices that are ruining their lives.

“Cases of drug abuse, prostitution, and theft are rampant among the students at the moment. Since there are no assignments and CATs to keep them busy, they might as well find other things,” he says.

Francis Kabue, the Secretary General of the Student Governing Council of Nakuru (SGCN), agrees with Jackson, saying the government should prioritize the situation as the students are suffering.

“At the moment, we see the government splashing money on empowerment programs and other programs, yet the situation in the higher education sector is critical. One would almost think that sorting out the issue regarding the lecturers’ strike is not on their list of priorities,” he says.

Kabue concludes by saying that he would urge the government to find a way to meet the lecturers’ demands because, as this fight prolongs, it’s the students losing the most.