The High Court has suspended the nationwide strike by university staff and ordered all parties to engage in conciliatory talks. Justice Stephen Radido issued the ruling, directing universities’ unions and the Ministry of Education to negotiate in good faith.
“Good faith in industrial relations requires that parties conciliate in good faith. The court will, therefore, issue an order interdicting the ongoing strike pending conciliation,” Justice Radido said.
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Why the Strike Happened
The strike was called by the Universities’ Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), and Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA).
The unions were demanding full implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga cited unpaid arrears of:
- Ksh2.73 billion from the 2021–2025 CBA
- Ksh7.9 billion from the 2017–2021 CBA
- Delays in negotiating the 2025–2029 CBA
Despite releasing Ksh2.73 billion from the 2021–2025 CBA a day before the strike, the government failed to convince lecturers to call off the strike.
Nationwide Protests
Staff from public universities such as the University of Nairobi, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, University of Eldoret, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology marched on campuses. They carried banners and blew vuvuzelas, demonstrating their frustration over delayed payments and unfulfilled agreements.
Government Response
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba appealed to the unions to comply with the court order and pursue conciliation. He emphasized that dialogue is the best way to resolve disputes without disrupting learning.
The university unions have yet to respond, and the strike continues while preparations for conciliation talks are underway.
