There appears to be a breakthrough in the long-running lecturers’ strike after Members of Parliament intervened to mediate talks between university staff unions and the Ministry of Education. The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has indicated its willingness to reconsider its hardline position, raising hopes that lecturers could return to classrooms as early as Monday, November 10.
The 48-day strike, which began on September 17, stemmed from a dispute over arrears totaling Sh7.94 billion from the 2017–21 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The Ministry of Education, however, maintained that only Sh7.76 billion had been verified by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), proposing to disburse the amount in two instalments — a stance the union initially rejected.
Following a mediation session convened by the National Assembly Committee on Education, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga praised MPs for handling the issue with “humane understanding” and announced that the union would meet within 48 hours to review its position.
“The way IPUCCF manages university staff is perfunctory,” Wasonga told the committee, referring to the Inter-Public Universities Councils’ Consultative Forum. “But because of your leadership and respect, I will plead with our members to reconsider for the sake of our students.”
Wasonga proposed an 80-20 payment formula — with 80 percent of the arrears (Sh5 billion) to be paid immediately and the remaining Sh2 billion deferred to the 2026–27 financial year. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, however, cautioned that implementation must follow due process.
The meeting, held at Jogoo House B in Nairobi, brought together UASU, the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), KUDHEIHA, and Ministry officials led by Education CS Julius Ogamba.
Wasonga’s conciliatory tone offers renewed optimism for over 42 public universities, where academic activities have been paralyzed since mid-September. Students, parents, and education stakeholders now await the union’s final decision, which could see learning resume next week.
