Student leaders to petition parliament in Nairobi over ongoing lecturers strike

Groups of University students are set to hold peaceful demonstrations this afternoon to petition parliament, in a bid to seek the end of the lecturers’ strike that kicked off January 19th.

The petition signed by the Moi University Nairobi campus students chairman Edwin Kegoli, academia director Morgan Ochieng, assistant secretary general Perez Anzugira, finance director Gregory Anam and secretary general Dalman Muhamud, is set to twist a new jab in the ongoing negotiations to end the stalemate, a day after education CS Fred Matiang’i held closed door meeting with dons’ representatives.

"We humbly request police protection during the peaceful demonstration," the five student leaders said in a statement.

A march is expected to start from Nairobi’s Jivanjee Gardens. Other bunch of students from other universities in the capital is set to join the peaceful demonstrations, shortly after a briefing. The procession will proceed to parliament through Moi Avenue and City Hall Way.

Read: THIS IS WHY MATIANG'I HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO ADDRESS LECTURERS STRIKE

Lecturers, on 19th January, downed their tools of trade, in push for the implementation of the 2013-207 Collective Bargaining Agreement, vowing not to return to work until their issues are resolved.,

Student leaders drawn from all universities, both private and public, noted that the strike has threatened the continuity of proper learning in institutions.

"It threatens the consistency and length of the academic calendar, academic extension and research activities," they told the press.

Their petition is seeking to compel the National Assembly to put to an end the ongoing strike, as it exposes learners across the country to "non-constructive" activities.

"The assembly should realise that the continuity of the strike limits students from realising their academic advancements and engagements," read part of the petition seen by P Live Kenya.

Last month, the government offered lecturers Sh10 billion boost to cater for basic salaries and allowances of staff at public universities, but they turned down the amount terming it too small. They are now seeking an additional Sh4.8 billion to enable them resume work.