Frontier Correspondent
Nairobi, Kenya.
Public universities across Kenya remain paralyzed as the lecturers’ strike entered its 43rd day, with the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) standing firm on their demand for KSh 7.9 billion in salary arrears.
The unions have rejected government proposals to clear the dues in installments, insisting on full payment before they can consider returning to work. The standoff, rooted in unpaid obligations from the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), has disrupted learning for more than 200,000 students nationwide, sparking a blame game between the unions and the government.
UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga on Thursday dismissed the Ministry of Education’s claims that classes had resumed in select institutions, terming them “divisive tactics meant to weaken union solidarity.”
“We shall not call off the strike unless we negotiate and sign a return-to-work formula. The dues of KSh 7.9 billion must be paid in full,” Wasonga said, rejecting the government’s latest offer of KSh 3.5 billion. He cited a recent Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) report that confirmed the full arrears amount.
KUSU Secretary General Charles Mukhwaya accused the Ministry of “casually handling” the crisis and faulted the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) for proposing phased disbursements over three installments.
“The government has pushed UASU and KUSU into this strike,” Mukhwaya said, adding that students should be compensated for lost academic time.
Talks between union leaders and government representatives collapsed again on October 29 in Machakos after unions rejected a revised return-to-work proposal—just weeks after a similar walkout on October 13. Earlier optimism following a payroll audit quickly faded, with the unions maintaining their demand for full payment before any further engagement.
The Ministry of Education has since hardened its stance. On October 14, Education Principal Secretary Julius Ogamba ordered public universities to initiate disciplinary measures against striking staff. The Technical University of Kenya (TUK) confirmed that such actions had already begun under Vice Chancellor Benedict Mutua.
Unions have vowed to challenge the sanctions in court. Earlier this month, UASU members held demonstrations outside the University of Nairobi demanding enforcement of an existing court order on arrears and the commencement of negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA.
Despite the stalemate, union officials say there are “encouraging signs” from recent talks. Mukhwaya said on October 30 that discussions with government representatives show “a willingness to engage,” though he reiterated that “no settlement is possible without full payment.” UASU has also said it will await a court ruling scheduled for December 11 on the arrears dispute.
This is the second major lecturers’ strike in as many years. A similar standoff in September 2024 was resolved after weeks of paralysis through an inter-ministerial deal that included salary adjustments and assurances against reprisals.
As the deadlock drags on, universities remain closed, students stranded, and parents anxious. Stakeholders warn that prolonged disruption risks further eroding Kenya’s already strained higher education sector.