The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has called off its nationwide lecturers' strike after signing a KSh20 billion deal with the government. The agreement, signed on October 30, was reached after union officials led by secretary-general Dr. Constantine Wasonga Opiyo and Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala engaged in negotiations. This development paves the way for learning to resume in public universities.
The strike, which began on October 2, lasted four weeks and disrupted academic activities across public universities. It followed stalled negotiations over the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), with lecturers demanding a better remuneration package. The union had been pushing for improved salaries, allowances, and working conditions, among other issues.
The new deal is KSh8.04 billion higher than the government's October 26 proposal, which the union had rejected. The KSh20 billion package will cater for basic salaries and allowances under the four-year agreement. This significant increase represents a 67.2 per cent rise from the previous offer, addressing some of the lecturers' key demands.
UASU secretary-general Dr. Constantine Wasonga directed lecturers to resume teaching immediately and urged students who had travelled home during the industrial action to return to their respective universities. He asked students to begin travelling back to their institutions ahead of the planned resumption of classes on Monday, November 2.
The breakthrough followed negotiations involving Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and a separate meeting at State House. The union had also rejected an earlier KSh9.76 billion proposal, arguing that it could not adequately address lecturers' demands over the four-year period. The latest offer marks a significant improvement, securing a better deal for lecturers.
Beyond salary adjustments, the union had pushed for harmonised allowances, improved medical cover, car loan and mortgage arrangements, and the recruitment of additional academic staff. The industrial action had left thousands of students stranded, with some questioning the prolonged disruption. University of Nairobi students had staged protests demanding an end to the standoff and the resumption of learning.
With the agreement now signed, students have been asked to return to their universities by Monday, November 2. The union's decision to call off the strike brings relief to students and the education sector, allowing for the resumption of academic activities. The KSh20 billion deal is expected to improve the working conditions and remuneration of lecturers, ultimately benefiting the education sector.
Key points
- UASU calls off four-week nationwide lecturers' strike after signing KSh20 billion agreement with government.
- The new deal is KSh8.04 billion higher than the government's previous proposal, representing a 67.2 per cent increase.
- Students are urged to return to their universities by Monday, November 2, for the resumption of classes.
