INJECT Party leader Morara Kebaso has criticized university students for their silence and inaction as the lecturers’ strike stretches past six weeks, calling on them to reclaim their voice and push for accountability from authorities.
In a strongly worded social media post on Monday, October 27, 2025, Kebaso lamented what he described as a lack of courage among today’s students, contrasting their passivity with the activism of past generations.
“During my days, we would have joined the lecturers and shut down business until something moved inside the bank,” he wrote, implying that only collective action can drive change.
Kebaso accused students of being complacent while their education remains disrupted, adding humorously, “These ones are resting like Captain Barbossa… Nothing will move unless you move it.” He warned that authorities rarely act unless citizens mobilize and demand justice.
Critique of Student Leadership and Governance
The INJECT leader also faulted the Duale law, which restructured student unions, saying it eroded student power and weakened campus representation. He claimed the current generation of student leaders lacks the boldness of their predecessors.
“The Duale law really messed up student leadership, I tell you. Amkeni,” Kebaso said. “Today’s student leaders are rolling in bed like chicken at Sonford on Moi Avenue.”
He urged students to use social media and campus networks to amplify their voices and pressure the government to resolve the crisis, calling for a revival of the assertive activism once synonymous with Kenya’s university culture.
Lecturers’ Strike Deepens as Talks Collapse
Kebaso’s remarks come as the university lecturers’ strike enters its 42nd day, following the collapse of a recent meeting in Machakos after lecturers rejected a revised return-to-work formula.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has maintained that the government must first release the Ksh7.9 billion owed to lecturers before any negotiations can resume. The union dismissed a Ksh3.5 billion offer from the Ministry of Education, terming it insufficient and insincere.
The ongoing stalemate has paralyzed academic activities across public universities, leaving thousands of students stranded and uncertain about the completion of their studies. Some institutions have even issued show-cause letters to striking lecturers, further heightening tensions between university management and staff.
Parallel Struggles in the Public Sector
Kebaso also pointed to other industrial disputes, notably the five-month strike by Kiambu doctors, as evidence of a growing crisis in Kenya’s labor relations. He emphasized that only collective pressure and organized action can compel government intervention.
“Ask Kiambu doctors how long they have been on strike. Five months,” he noted. “Change will not come unless you move.”
As the standoff drags on, Kebaso’s rallying call reignites debate over the future of student activism and the role of young people in holding institutions accountable.
