{
  "id": 17347440,
  "title": "UASU calls off university lecturers’ strike after signing Sh20bn deal with government",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/uasu-calls-off-university-lecturers-strike-after-signing-sh20bn-deal",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T05:25:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital FM Kenya",
    "slug": "capital-fm-kenya",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/uasu-calls-off-university-lecturers-strike-after-signing-sh20bn-deal-with-government/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NAIROBI, Kenya – The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has ended its nationwide strike following a Sh20 billion deal with the government to implement the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). The strike, which began on October 2, disrupted teaching, learning, and research in public universities for nearly a month, with lecturers expected to return to work on November 2. UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga confirmed the end of the strike on Friday after negotiations with the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) led by the Inter-Ministerial Committee. The agreement entails three installments of Sh20 billion over three financial years, with the first Sh6.7 billion release in the 2026/2027 financial year. Lecturers will receive a 3.5% annual salary increment for four years, dating back to July 1, 2025, along with an automatic annual 5% increase and various allowances. Outstanding salary and allowance arrears from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, will be paid in three installments, while those from July 1 to December 31, 2026, will coincide with January 2027 salaries. The deal also covers concerns over possible victimization of striking lecturers, ensuring that disciplinary actions taken during the strike will be withdrawn. Contractual staff will not face dismissal due to their participation. Wasonga acknowledged the challenge of reaching the agreement, balancing student disruption concerns with lecturers' demands for improved working conditions, collective bargaining, and pension security. The government, particularly the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury, pledged funds for implementing the CBAs, while UASU assured members that the Return to Work Formula (RTWF) will protect them from victimization. The union thanked students for their patience and urged them to resume studies. The strike had disrupted university programs, causing concerns about delayed examinations, interrupted teaching schedules, and potential extension of academic calendars. Now, the signing of the return-to-work agreement allows for the resumption of regular university operations, though institutions must address the academic time lost during the industrial action.",
  "summary": "UASU has called off the month-long university lecturers’ strike after signing a Sh20 billion deal with the government, paving the way for lecturers to resume work on November 2, 2026.",
  "key_points": [
    "UASU ends nationwide strike after signing Sh20bn deal with government",
    "Lecturers to return to work on November 2 after 1-month disruption",
    "Agreement includes salary increments, arrears payment, and protection from victimization"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}