The lecturers’ strike in public universities has entered its third week, with academic staff unions maintaining that they will not resume duty until all outstanding Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) are honoured.
At a joint press briefing in Nairobi, University Academic Staff Union (UASU) National Chairperson Grace Nyongesa declared that no negotiations were currently underway with university management or the government.
“We shall remain outside until the issues raised are addressed. The 2021–2025 CBA must be fully implemented, and negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA should start immediately,” she said. “We are tired of pursuing our money years later and losing value. If this is not done, the strike will continue.”
Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) Secretary-General Charles Mukhwaya accused vice chancellors and university councils of misleading the public on the matter. He noted that the Attorney General had already issued an advisory in 2025 and courts had directed the payment of CBAs.
“The court has directed that we be paid. We cannot negotiate a court judgment. Failure to honour it amounts to contempt of court,” he warned.
Lecturers are demanding the settlement of Ksh.7.9 billion in outstanding dues from the 2017–2021 CBA, alongside the commencement of talks for the 2025–2029 CBA.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, however, has cautioned striking lecturers, warning that they risk disciplinary action for defying a High Court order requiring them to resume classes. He revealed that the government had already released Ksh.2.5 billion for the second phase of the 2021–2025 CBA.
Despite this, lecturers insist that arrears remain unsettled, keeping learning across public universities paralyzed. Some students have threatened to also stage protests if the impasse continues.
The standoff mirrors last year’s strike, which disrupted academic calendars and spilled over into 2024. Without urgent resolution, universities face yet another prolonged academic crisis.
