Lecturers and University Staff Down Tools Over 2025–2029 CBA Dispute
The unions announced the strike after talks with IPUCCF ended without an agreement in Machakos on Thursday.
Nairobi, Kenya - Lecturers and university staff across Kenya are on strike after their unions rejected a proposed counter-offer from the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) regarding the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The industrial action involves members from the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA). Talks between the unions and the IPUCCF concluded without an agreement in Machakos on Thursday.
The main issues at stake include salary increments, medical benefits, and the recruitment of new academic staff. The unions argue that the proposed 4% annual salary increase is insufficient, as it does not match the current inflation rate and would not adequately protect workers from rising living costs. They also claim the new agreement fails to honor provisions from the 2021-2025 CBA, particularly concerning the harmonization of allowances.
The proposed salary increase by the IPUCCF stands at 8.25% cumulative over four years, with adjustments made annually. However, the unions have demanded much higher increases, ranging from 36 to 193%, to keep up with the rising cost of living. Some of the key concerns raised by the unions include inadequate medical cover compared to civil servants in similar job grades and the need for increased academic staff to handle the growing number of students.
The IPUCCF has recommended a 8.25% salary increment over the four-year period, but this proposal was rejected by the unions, who submitted significantly higher demands. The disputes have led to a nationwide strike, which is expected to disrupt various university activities, including teaching, examinations, research, and other services. The unions remain open to further negotiations but insist that their demands must be addressed before the 2025-2029 CBA can be concluded.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
