Six students who had been suspended from the Technical University of Kenya have been recalled, as the university prepares to reopen in two weeks, following its closure on Monday.
Their recall followed intense pressure from the public, the Kenya University Students Organisation (KUSO) as well as the wider student fraternity.
KUSO had on Wednesday issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the immediate recall of the suspended students and an end to what they termed as "intimidation and repression" against students exercising their constitutional rights.
The six are Pascal Juma (academic secretary), Joel Ojuka (sports and entertainment secretary), Peter Marite (faculty representative), Elam Kiama (faculty representative), Javan Odhiambo (hostel representative) and Agere Sigunga (former student leader).
Cancellation of the students’ suspension was one of the decisions made at a meeting of the university council on Tuesday following its closure on Monday.
“Following a consultative meeting between the university management board (UMB) and the council of the Students Association of TUK (SATUK), the university has resolved to recall the suspension letters of six (6) students. The vice chancellor will engage with the affected students in a fatherly dialogue,” reads a circular signed by TUK Vice Chancellor Benedict Mutua.
“The university remains committed to dialogue with both staff and students as a way of resolving emerging concerns. Students are encouraged to remain calm as the university works towards resolving the current situation.”
The students had been accused of allegedly disrupting programmes at the university as well as causing property damage.
On Monday, students joined their lecturers who were demonstrating in protest against delayed salaries. The lecturers also refused to administer end-of-semester examinations.
The administration described the demonstrations as "intentional actions that interfered with academic activities and led to property damage."
The suspensions were communicated through official letters dated February 3, 2025 and take effect immediately.
“Such conduct constitutes a serious breach of University Regulations, undermining the integrity of academic activities and operations of the institution.”
“Consequently, you are hereby Suspended from the University with immediate effect and until further notice, pending further disciplinary proceedings,” reads the letter in part.
In a strongly worded statement dated February 4, 2025, KUSO condemned the suspensions, calling them unjust and oppressive, a violation of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, particularly Article 37 (right to assembly and protest), Article 33(1)(a) (freedom of expression), and Article 47 (right to fair administrative action).
“We strongly condemn the unjust suspension of comrades at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) by the vice-chancellor. The suspended students have done nothing wrong except stand [sic] firm in demanding their rights, and we refuse to allow such an injustice to go unchallenged,” said Kisero Junior Kennedy, the KUSO spokesperson.
The students’ suspension sparked outrage, with KUSO threatening to mobilise university students across Kenya to camp at TUK until the matter was resolved.
“Therefore, we issue a 24-hour ultimatum to the vice chancellor of TUK to: Immediately reinstate all suspended comrades unconditionally, and cease any form of intimidation and repression against students exercising their constitutional rights. Failure to comply within the stipulated time will force us to mobilise all university students across Kenya to camp at TUK and reinstate our comrades ourselves. Let it be known that the student fraternity will not bow to tyranny, and any attempt to silence us will be met with unwavering resistance,” said Mr Kisero.
In a notice issued by the university administration, TUK confirmed the reinstatement of the six students, stating that they were now free to resume their studies.
