On February 25, 2025, police fired tear gas and used clubs to disperse students from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) who were protesting the indefinite closure of their institution.
TUK had been shut on February 3, 2025 after staff strikes over unpaid salaries disrupted academic activities. Students marched to the Ministry of Education in Nairobi, demanding the university’s reopening and resolution of staff grievances.
Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force by security forces in response to a student protest – conduct that is protected by international human rights instruments including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Instruments and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Kenya is a party. While state authorities have a right to maintain public order and safety, they should refrain from the use of force and ensure that their response is proportionate to the situation and does not result in harm to students or other protesters. In addition to the harm to the immediate victims, the use of force, especially when intended to restrict student expression, undermines academic freedom and democratic society generally.
Sources:
https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/109329-police-fire-teargas-technical-university-students-during-nairobi-cbd-protests
https://www.citizen.digital/news/tuk-students-clash-with-police-in-the-streets-of-nairobi-n358221
https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2025/02/police-lob-teargas-to-disperse-tuk-students-protesting-closure-of-the-institution/
https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2025-02-25-photos-tuk-students-protest-at-education-ministry-headquarters