The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has officially ended a three-week strike that disrupted operations across Kenya’s 35 public universities and constituent colleges.
The strike, which had left students and parents in limbo, was resolved following a significant agreement with the government.
The Sh9.7 Billion Deal: What It Entails
UASU and the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) signed a return-to-work formula on Saturday, November 23, bringing the stalemate to an end.
A major highlight of the agreement was the government’s commitment to fully implement the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The total package, valued at Sh9.7 billion, will be implemented in phases over the next three years.
Implementation Phases
- Phase One: Sh4.3 billion will be disbursed within the current fiscal year, covering the period up to June 2025.
- Phase Two and Three: The remaining Sh5.4 billion will be released in two equal installments of Sh2.7 billion during the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 financial years.
The National Treasury has pledged to allocate these funds under Supplementary Estimates II to ensure timely disbursement.
UASU’s Stance and Negotiations
UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga emphasized that while the union accepted the phased implementation of the deal, they expect the government to uphold its promise.
“We have accepted the Sh4.3 billion for immediate disbursement but insist that the remaining amount must be paid as agreed. Negotiations on other terms of the return-to-work formula will continue,” Wasonga stated.
Impact of the Strike
The strike, which left lecture halls deserted for nearly a month, paralyzed learning in all public universities. Students faced delays in completing their studies, and parents were burdened with uncertainty about the academic calendar.
Tinderet MP Julius Melly underscored the need for compromise, saying, “Students are waiting to graduate, and parents have paid fees. It’s time for all parties to prioritize the education system.”
Recovering Lost Time
To make up for lost time, lecturers plan to extend teaching hours, including weekends.
“We will recover the academic time lost during the strike by adjusting daily schedules and offering weekend classes,” added Wasonga.
A Path Forward
This agreement signals the end of a prolonged standoff, allowing public universities to resume normal operations. The deal is expected to restore stability to Kenya’s higher education sector, enabling students to continue their academic journeys without further disruptions.
