On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, hundreds of University of Nairobi students staged protests, blocking a section of Waiyaki Way. Beyond the demos, lay deep frustrations. Some students narrated how the lecturers’ strike had affected their education, while others raised concerns that it could affect their graduation, ultimately forcing them to wait longer for that degree.
For some university students, the final weeks before graduation should be a time to prepare their gowns, invite family members and celebrate years of hard work. For others, it should be the moment they finally complete their examinations, clear outstanding academic requirements and prepare to step into the job market.
But with the lecturers’ strike in Kenya’s public universities disrupting learning, those plans have been thrown into uncertainty.
The nationwide strike, which began on October 2, 2026, has left students wondering when normal learning will resume and whether they will complete their studies in time for their expected graduation dates.
For finalists, the concern goes beyond missing lectures. Students who still have examinations to sit, marks to resolve or departmental clearance to complete may find their academic timelines pushed further back if the disruption continues.
Graduation season under uncertainty
Graduation is the culmination of years of studying, assignments, examinations and financial sacrifice. For many families, it is also a milestone they have planned and saved for, sometimes over several years.
However, students expecting to graduate in the coming weeks face uncertainty over whether they will complete all the requirements in time.
Some final-year students have struggled to complete clearance because lecturers who also head departments are unavailable. Others have been unable to resolve missing marks, leaving them unsure whether they will graduate as planned.
Students lift up their during graduation caps while celebrating.
One student from Laikipia University told the publication that she feared she might have to wait another year if she could not resolve an outstanding academic issue before graduation.
Such delays can be particularly frustrating for students who have completed their coursework but are unable to finalise their academic records.
When examinations are pushed back
For students who have not completed their final examinations, the uncertainty may be even greater.
A prolonged strike could force universities to adjust teaching schedules and examination dates to account for lost learning time. Where examinations are postponed, students may have to wait longer to receive results, complete their courses and qualify for graduation.
The exact effect will depend on each university’s academic calendar and the arrangements made once learning resumes. Not every student will necessarily experience the same delay, but those with outstanding examinations or academic requirements remain vulnerable to changes in their schedules.
The disruption also raises questions for students who had expected to finish their studies this year but may now have to remain enrolled for longer than planned.
The cost of waiting for a degree
A delayed graduation can affect more than a student’s academic record. It can also interfere with plans to find employment, pursue further studies or begin earning an income.
Some employers require proof that applicants have completed their qualifications. Students waiting for final results or official confirmation of completion may therefore find it harder to apply for opportunities that require those documents.
There may also be additional costs. Students who need to remain near campus could continue paying rent, buying food and meeting other living expenses even when classes are not taking place.
A university student planning her week ahead of strike.
A university student planning her week ahead of strike.
For families who had planned for graduation expenses, a change in dates could mean rearranging travel, accommodation and celebrations.
The uncertainty can also be emotionally draining, particularly for students who have already spent years working towards a qualification and are eager to move on to the next stage of their lives.
Students caught in the middle
The strike stems from a dispute between university staff unions and employers over the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement. However, students are bearing many of the consequences of the unresolved disagreement.
For now, students approaching graduation must wait for official communication from their universities on revised academic schedules, examination arrangements and graduation dates.
The longer the disruption continues, the harder it may become for some students to keep their plans on track.
For those who have spent years working towards a degree, the worry is no longer simply about finishing university. It is about how much longer they may have to wait before they can finally celebrate that achievement.