University dons are preparing for widespread demonstrations after the collapse of salary negotiations between their unions and the government. During a press briefing in Nairobi on Wednesday, University Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary General Constantine Wesonga blamed the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) for derailing talks aimed at finalising the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Wesonga, who spoke on behalf of UASU, KUDHEIHA, and KUSU, accused the SRC of overstepping its advisory mandate and interfering directly in collective bargaining. He said this had made it impossible for university lecturers to negotiate effectively with their employer.
“As per labour conventions, we are supposed to negotiate with our employer. However, the SRC’s advisory limits negotiations and prevents workers from reaching fair terms,” said Wesonga.
He criticised the SRC for capping salary proposals at Ksh3 billion over four years, terming the amount inadequate to cover all university staff across the country. “If they want, they can come and negotiate with us directly. How can Ksh3 billion for four years cater to all three unions?” he posed.
The union leader also faulted the government for failing to address key welfare concerns, including automatic annual salary increments, remittance of statutory deductions, and provision of medical insurance and pension schemes.
Wesonga appealed to students to remain patient, noting that the strike was necessary to secure long-term reforms that would enhance the quality of education. “We want to finish this matter once and for all so that learning can resume without future disruptions,” he added.
Meanwhile, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed last week that the government had engaged SRC to guide the CBA framework, but blamed UASU for skipping initial meetings convened by the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF).
With talks now stalled, lecturers are set to take their protests to individual university chapters nationwide in the coming days.
