A verbal agreement worth Ksh20 billion has been reached between the Kenyan government and university lecturers to end a four-week strike that suspended teaching across 35 public universities. The agreement, set to be formalized on Friday, October 30, 2026, was concluded after high-level talks involving union leaders, university vice-chancellors, and government officials. The strike, which began on October 2, 2026, was led by the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), the Kenya Universities Staff Union, and KUDHEIHA.
The strike was sparked by demands for fresh negotiations on the 2025-2029 collective bargaining agreements, with lecturers seeking a 3 percent basic salary increase. Earlier government offers of Ksh12 billion and a revised Ksh11.96 billion were rejected by the unions, who argued that the amounts fell short of their demands. However, after a series of negotiations, the government raised its proposal to Ksh20 billion, which was accepted by the lecturers. UASU secretary-general Constantine Wesonga stated that the figure resulted from negotiation rather than imposition.
According to UASU secretary-general Constantine Wesonga, lecturers are expected to resume classes on Monday, November 2, 2026, with Wesonga urging staff to return to their campuses. The agreement was reached after a technical team drafted the terms, which will be formalized on Friday. The negotiations involved Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, and Permanent Secretary for Internal Security Raymond Omollo, among others.
The strike had significant implications for students, with many universities experiencing disruptions. At the University of Nairobi, students staged street demonstrations and briefly blocked Waiyaki Way on two occasions during the week. The protests accompanied the negotiations, highlighting the anxiety among students about the prolonged strike. With the agreement in place, students can now expect to resume their studies.
The Ksh20 billion agreement is seen as a significant breakthrough in the negotiations between the government and university lecturers. The deal is expected to address some of the lecturers' demands, including a salary increase. However, details of the agreement, including the exact terms and conditions, will be made public after the formalization on Friday.
The resumption of classes is expected to bring relief to students, who have been affected by the prolonged strike. The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has urged lecturers to return to their campuses and resume teaching. With the agreement in place, universities are expected to return to normal operations, allowing students to continue with their studies.
The Kenyan government has demonstrated its commitment to resolving the strike, with Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and other officials playing a key role in the negotiations. The agreement is a significant step towards resolving the impasse and ensuring that students can complete their studies without further disruptions.
Key points
- The Kenyan government and university lecturers have agreed on a Ksh20 billion deal to end a four-week strike that halted teaching at 35 public universities.
- The strike, which began on October 2, 2026, was sparked by demands for fresh negotiations on the 2025-2029 collective bargaining agreements.
- Lecturers are expected to resume classes on Monday, November 2, 2026, after the agreement was reached.
