Lecturers’ strike escalates as talks with govt collapse

Nairobi, Kenya – The ongoing lecturers’ strike in public universities is set to escalate further following the collapse of talks with the government on Monday, raising concerns about potential disruptions to learning. The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) revealed that the government's latest offer was largely similar to the one they rejected on October 1.

Constantine Wasonga, UASU Secretary-General, stated that the meeting between UASU, the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), KUDHEIHA, and the government’s Inter-Ministerial Committee ended without a resolution. Wasonga emphasized that the talks have collapsed, and the strike will continue until their demands are met. The union criticized the National Treasury for not attending the meeting, highlighting the importance of their involvement in addressing funding issues for public university staff salaries.

UASU is seeking a credible government offer, the conclusion of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and a commitment from the Exchequer to fund public university staff salaries. The union argues that presenting the same offer as before is not meaningful and does not demonstrate a commitment to resolving the dispute.

The strike primarily revolves around the 2025–2029 CBA, with university workers pushing for agreements on employment terms and a clear government commitment to funding staff salaries.