- Egerton University student Eunice Ochieng has captured public attention after kneeling and pleading with the President William Ruto-led government to pay striking lecturers
- In an emotional video, she said students have suffered enough as the lecturers’ strike enters its 45th day, disrupting learning across public universities
- Eunice questioned why leaders’ children study abroad while Kenyan students remain idle and urged the president to act instead of staying silent
- Her plea comes as fresh talks between lecturers’ unions and the government show signs of progress after weeks of deadlock
TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
Eunice Ochieng, a student at Egerton University, has sparked widespread reactions after her emotional appeal to President William Ruto’s government over the ongoing lecturers’ strike.
Source: UGC
In a heartfelt plea captured on video, Eunice went down on her knees, urging the government to pay university lecturers so that learning can resume in public institutions.
The visibly distressed student said the prolonged strike had disrupted students’ academic lives and shattered their hopes of completing studies on time.
“This is unacceptable. If you don’t want us to learn, just do away with education. If you can’t pay lecturers, then release us so we can look for other options,” she said tearfully.
University student asks Ruto’s government to pay lecturers
Eunice condemned leaders whose children study in prestigious universities abroad while local students remain stranded.
“It is very shameful that your children are abroad in top universities while we are suffering. We cannot be taught by lecturers who are hungry and unpaid. What shocks me as a comrade is that the president is quiet, going about business as if nothing is happening in the country,” she added.
The student pleaded with the government to intervene urgently, saying learners have no one else to speak for them.
“There is no one who will fight for us except ourselves. Please, Ruto’s government, I beg you in the name of God, do the necessary. You are too quiet as if nothing is happening in your country, yet you are the president,” she said.
Eunice lamented that education in Kenya is being treated as a privilege rather than a right, adding that the time lost during the strike has financial implications for students.
“Education is not a token. It is disheartening that we live in a country where education is not the first priority. Time has been wasted, and time is money. We will need compensation,” she said.
She also expressed concern that many students had depleted their upkeep funds from HELB during the strike period, meaning they would require additional support when learning resumes.
Lecturers strike enter week 7
Her emotional appeal comes as university lecturers continue their nationwide strike, which has entered its 45th day.
Talks between the striking lecturers and the government have since resumed, with both sides working to reach a return-to-work formula. The government is reportedly offering to pay the KSh 7.9 billion arrears owed to lecturers in two phases instead of three.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) have said they will consult their members before deciding whether to resume classes.
“We have agreed to burn the midnight oil, my lines are open. The government has also decided to burn the midnight oil,” UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga said.
Both unions are expected to present the government’s latest offer to their National Delegates Conferences, where members will vote on the next course of action.
Source: UGC
Will university students join the lecturers’ strike?
TUKO.co.ke previously reported that university students across several public institutions expressed frustration over the ongoing lecturers’ strike, threatening to join the dons.
They said the disruption had stalled learning, leaving them stranded without classes and uncertain about their academic future.
Student leaders from various universities, including Kenyatta and Moi, demanded that the government resolve the standoff quickly and release a recovery plan to compensate for lost time.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
