University lecturers have vowed to sustain their ongoing strike until their demands are fully addressed, accusing vice chancellors of dishonesty and deliberate attempts to frustrate negotiations.
Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) said dialogue with university management can only proceed if it is grounded in honesty and sincerity.
UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga criticized university bosses for what he described as misleading financial claims.
“Vice chancellors are not being truthful with the figures they are presenting to the government and to the public. They claim there is no money, yet records show otherwise,” Wasonga said.
He added that the crisis goes beyond salary disputes. “This is no longer just a labour issue; it is about integrity and fairness. If the leadership at our universities cannot be honest, then what future are we shaping for our students?”
The lecturers say that repeated shifting of positions in collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) has left staff demoralized.
Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) Secretary-General Charles Mukhwaya echoed these concerns, accusing vice chancellors and councils of giving the public a distorted picture of the dispute.
“In 2025, the Attorney General issued an advisory, and the court ordered payment of our CBAs. Vice chancellors and councils are lying to the public and running away from facts,” Mukhwaya stated.
The strike, now in its second week, has disrupted learning in several public universities, with final-year students fearing delays in graduation. The unions insist that classes will not resume until a clear framework on salary arrears and improved working conditions is agreed upon.
The Ministry of Education has been urged to intervene and ensure transparent negotiations. The lecturers maintain that only honest engagement will end the standoff.
“No amount of intimidation or sugar-coating will stop this strike. We are ready to negotiate, but only with honesty on the table,” Wasonga declared.
