Academic programmes, music festival affected by Gen Z protests

 

Police officers patrolling along Kenyatta Avenue in Nakuru city on August 8, 2024. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Some universities postponed examinations that were due on Thursday due to the Gen Z protests.

Communication from some of the institutions, such as the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) and KCA University, informed students on the change of events.

In a circular dated August 7, 2024, just a day before the nane-nane protests, TUK Vice Chancellor Prof Benedict Mutua said, “This is to inform you that examinations scheduled for Thursday, August 8 have been suspended. The suspended examinations will be redistributed appropriately to the remaining examination period between August 12 and 16.”

Similar communication was done by KCA university registrar, Dr Rose Gathi. “This is to notify all academic programmes students that all the examinations which were scheduled to be done on August 8, 2024, have been moved to later dates.”

The university said that the examinations will now be done between August 12 and 19.

The Standard established that similar communication were done in various public and private universities across the country.

The Gen Z protests also disrupted travel plans for students and teachers proceeding to and from the Kenya Music Festival in Eldoret.

Schools’ principals had to adjust their travel plans to safeguard their students as well as give learners an opportunity to take part in the festival.

Several Regional festival officials issued a travel advisory, urging school buses to avoid the risk of being caught in the demonstrations. 

Through their WhatsApp groups, the officials warned teachers against risking lives.

“To guarantee learners’ and your own safety, it has been advised that teams intending to leave Eldoret for Nairobi in the morning should delay their departure slightly until the situation can be assessed and further guidance given,” one official communicated.

Teams leaving Nairobi for Eldoret were advised to proceed with caution, ideally setting off early in the morning to beat the protests. 

Many schools took this advice, with students departing as early as 4:30 a.m. to navigate the roads before any disruptions could occur. 

“We are in Naivasha en route to Eldoret. Pray for us for journey mercies,” one teacher posted at 6 a.m. This precautionary measure deviates from the Ministry of Education’s usual guidelines, which typically restrict school bus travel. 

Festival officials closely monitored the situation throughout the day.