UoN Medical Students Tear-Gassed Over Delayed Exam Results

Protesters demand release of pending marks as graduation nears

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Nairobi, Kenya – September 2025. Police used tear gas on Wednesday to disperse a peaceful protest by University of Nairobi (UoN) medical students demanding the release of long-delayed 2024/2025 examination results.

The students, carrying placards reading “Accountability is also a unit. Results!!” and sounding vuvuzelas, had gathered along University Way before police ordered them to clear the area. Tensions rose when some students refused to leave, prompting officers to fire tear gas, sending the crowd scattering amid smoke and chaos.

Students’ Grievances

• Delayed results: Students say they have waited since July for missing marks.

• Academic disruption: Without the results, many cannot progress to the next level or confirm graduation eligibility ahead of the September 19, 2025 ceremony.

• Repeated protests: The demonstration follows a similar rally in August at the medical school campus near Kenyatta National Hospital.

“This is our future on the line. We cannot plan our careers without our marks,” a student leader said after the protest.

University Response

• Investigation launched: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Ayub Gitau on August 26 directed all faculties to list lecturers yet to submit marks.

• Accountability measures: The administration pledged to discipline staff responsible for delays and clear all backlogs before graduation.

• Special deans’ committee: Convened to address missing marks across faculties.

Police & Public Reaction

• Police action: Officers cited public order concerns after students spilled onto University Way, briefly blocking traffic.

• Online backlash: Videos of tear gas canisters exploding near students circulated on TikTok and X (Twitter), sparking debate over police handling of campus protests.

What’s Next

• Graduation deadline: All results must be finalized by September 19, 2025, to avoid disruptions to the ceremony.

• Student demands: Learners want a permanent fix to the recurring issue of missing marks at UoN.

• Administration pledge: Officials insist reforms will prevent future delays beyond the current crisis.

Timeline

• July 2025: Students begin reporting delayed results.

• August 2025: First protest held at UoN Medical School, Kenyatta National Hospital campus.

• August 26, 2025: UoN issues internal memo on missing marks.

• September 2025: Tear gas fired as students protest again on University Way.

Related Coverage

• “University of Nairobi Pledges Reforms After Missing Marks Uproar”

• “Kenya’s Public Universities Face Crisis Over Exam Result Backlogs”