Eunice Ochieng, a student at Egerton University, has sparked widespread reactions after her emotional appeal to President William Ruto’s government over the ongoing lecturers’ strike. Eunice Ochieng urged President William Ruto’s governmrnt to pay striking lecturers. Photos: William Ruto, Screengrab/De Coolkid. Source: UGC In a heartfelt plea captured on video, Eunice went down on her knees, urging the government to pay university lecturers so that learning can resume in public institutions. The visibly distressed student said the prolonged strike had disrupted students’ academic lives and shattered their hopes of completing studies on time.
“This is unacceptable. If you don’t want us to learn, just do away with education. If you can’t pay lecturers, then release us so we can look for other options,” she said tearfully. University student asks Ruto’s government to pay lecturers Eunice condemned leaders whose children study in prestigious universities abroad while local students remain stranded. “It is very shameful that your children are abroad in top universities while we are suffering. We cannot be taught by lecturers who are hungry and unpaid. What shocks me as a comrade is that the president is quiet, going about business as if nothing is happening in the country,” she added. The student pleaded with the government to intervene urgently, saying learners have no one else to speak for them. “There is no one who will fight for us except ourselves. Please, Ruto’s government, I beg you in the name of God, do the necessary. You are too quiet as if nothing is happening in your country, yet you are the president,” she said.
Eunice lamented that education in Kenya is being treated as a privilege rather than a right, adding that the time lost during the strike has financial implications for students. “Education is not a token. It is disheartening that we live in a country where education is not the first priority. Time has been wasted, and time is money. We will need compensation,” she said. She also expressed concern that many students had depleted their upkeep funds from HELB during the strike period, meaning they would require additional support when learning resumes. Lecturers strike enter week 7 Her emotional appeal comes as university lecturers continue their nationwide strike, which has entered its 45th day. Talks between the striking lecturers and the government have since resumed, with both sides working to reach a return-to-work formula.
The government is reportedly offering to pay the KSh 7.9 billion arrears owed to lecturers in two phases instead of three. The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) have said they will consult their members before deciding whether to resume classes. “We have agreed to burn the midnight oil, my lines are open. The government has also decided to burn the midnight oil,” UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga said. Both unions are expected to present the government’s latest offer to their National Delegates Conferences, where members will vote on the next course of action.
By Harry Ivan Mboto
