University of Nairobi students have vowed to paralyze learning until the exam results are released.
Speaking on Wednesday, September 3, after a run-in with police who were forced to fire teargas at the demonstrating students, the university student president noted that academic activities would remain suspended until their demands are met.
"Comrades, we are here today to demonstrate peacefully, but we've been brought rioting officers. We are here because we do not have our results," the president stated. "We start exams in April, it is September, and we do not have our results. Graduation is in two weeks, and we do not have results."
The student leader highlighted the prolonged delay in releasing examination results and issued a firm ultimatum regarding the continuation of university operations.
"The direction is one, there is not going to be anything going on at the University of Nairobi until our results are released," he insisted.
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The impact of the missing results extends beyond academic progression, affecting students' ability to access basic university services.
"We cannot apply for rooms; we cannot stay in those rooms because we don't have results," the president explained.
In a bold escalation of their protest strategy, student leaders warned Nairobi residents of potential widespread disruptions.
"If you are a vehicle owner in Nairobi, do not come to the CBD tomorrow. Do not come to CBD on Friday. Do not come to CBD this week until they give us our items and our bottles," the leader warned.
A student representative reinforced the union's position on the total suspension of academic activities across all university facilities.
"As our president has said, there will be no classes, and there will be no resumption of studies in the University of Nairobi. All faculties and campuses in the University of Nairobi will be closed and shut down until our results are released," the student announced.
The demonstration began peacefully at the university's main campus along University Way and escalated when law enforcement officers arrived. Students gathered carrying placards with messages demanding accountability and release of results, accompanied by the sound of vuvuzelas.
The protest saw students spilling onto the road, disrupting traffic flow as they expressed their frustrations through chants and demonstrations.
The situation deteriorated when police deployed teargas to disperse the crowd, transforming what had started as a peaceful assembly into a chaotic scene.
The University of Nairobi administration had previously acknowledged the severity of the results crisis, launching an investigation into missing examination results ahead of its 73rd graduation ceremony scheduled for Friday, September 19, 2025.
Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof Ayub Gitau, had issued a memo on August 26, 2025, directing faculty deans and department chairs to identify lecturers with pending results.
The memo highlighted concerns that some faculties had not released 2024/25 exam results, while others had only partially released their marks.
“The situation is affecting University operations, and if not urgently addressed, could impact students’ progression and the upcoming graduation ceremony,” Gitau stated in the memo.
