UASU sets 7-day deadline for govt as lecturers’ strike threat looms

The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has given the government a seven-day deadline to resolve a dispute before a nationwide strike by lecturers in public universities becomes inevitable. If the government fails to sign and begin implementing the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) within the allotted time, the strike is set to commence at midnight on Thursday, October 2, 2026.

UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga made this announcement on September 24, 2026, at the union's offices, stating that the union has been acting in good faith but is compelled to issue the strike notice due to the government's failure to provide a financial commitment for the CBA.

A critical issue at the heart of the dispute is the funding mechanism for the agreement. Wasonga emphasized that national collective bargaining agreements should be financed through the national exchequer rather than through student fees. He argued that the government owes public universities approximately Ksh100 billion, exacerbating the financial strain on these institutions.

The union contends that settling this debt would provide universities with the resources needed to meet their financial commitments, including those related to staff salaries.

Wasonga also objected to the proposed funding model, which involves linking payments to student fees. He contended that universities should not be reliant on student fees to cover the costs of employing public officers, as these employees are considered part of the public sector and should be paid from the consolidated fund or government appropriations.

The union is particularly concerned about the proposed funding model's potential to create dependency on student fees, which could leave universities vulnerable to fluctuations in student enrollment.

In addition to financial concerns, UASU raised grievances regarding staffing levels in public universities, with Wasonga alleging that some lecturers are managing up to 1,000 students. He highlighted the university's struggle with inadequate facilities, exacerbated by increasing student numbers. The 2025-2029 CBA is expected to address recruitment and other human resource challenges, according to Wasonga.

The union's two primary demands are straightforward: for the government to negotiate, sign, and commence implementation of the 2025-2029 CBA within the seven-day window and for the agreement to be funded through the national exchequer. Failure to address these issues by the deadline will trigger the nationwide strike, effectively halting university activities nationwide from October 2, 2026. The ultimatum places the government and UASU under significant pressure to reach an agreement before the strike date.