This archive report was first published on 25 December 2019.
On December 4, 2019, Egerton University students went on strike, prompting the university to close its gates. The strike led to the suspension of seven Egerton University Students Association (EUSA) officials, including the chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary general, treasurer, director of gender and entertainment, and director of students' welfare.
The suspension letters, signed by acting Registrar Academic Affairs Mwanarusi Saidi, accused the officials of inciting students to strike. Saidi stated that the decision to suspend the student leaders was ratified by the university senate.
According to the suspension letters, the officials are not allowed to be found in the university compound during their suspension. The letters also warned that the university may hand over their cases to the State law enforcement authority for legal action.
Some of the suspended students, who spoke to The Standard on condition of anonymity, expressed concern that they might be locked out of campus and miss their January examinations. They claimed that the indefinite suspension had shocked them and were contemplating seeking legal action against the university management.
Over 13,700 students of Egerton University's main campus in Njoro were charged Sh16,862 each following the strike. The charges have caused an uproar among the students and parents who want the university to provide a breakdown of how the money will be used.
Students living with disability are exempted from paying the fine, according to an advert that made rounds on social media.
