Kenyatta University Students Strike Because A Hostel Lost Power For Over A Week
— written by Francis on Jan. 27, 2025, 6:16 p.m.
Kenyatta University (KU) students staged a significant protest, blocking sections of the Thika Superhighway to voice their frustration over a week-long power outage in their hostels. The demonstration caused major traffic disruptions near the Unicity Mall, as students barricaded both sides of the busy highway.
The unrest began after Kenya Power staff attempted to relocate a transformer, leading to a standoff with students who secured the transformer. It had been alleged that KPLC was doing power maintenance in the area leading to a loss of power supply since Friday night. The blackout has hindered smooth learning at the university, prompting the students to take action.
Glen Karani, the President of the KU Students Association, addressed the media, stating that they had informed the authorities about the power outage but received no response. He demanded that the power be restored promptly, warning that students would continue their protests until their grievances were addressed.
The protest led to significant traffic disruptions along Thika Road, a major highway that connects Nairobi to the central region. Commuters faced long delays as the students made their voices heard, demanding that the university administration and power authorities act swiftly to restore their power supply.
The situation at Kenyatta University highlights the broader challenges facing Kenya’s education sector, where student voices are becoming increasingly vocal in demanding change. As the nation watches, the resolution of these protests will set a precedent for how educational crises are managed in the future.
As of now, it remains unclear when the power will be restored to the hostel, but the students’ action has underscored their growing frustration with what they see as a lack of urgency in addressing their concerns.
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