LECTURERS’ STRIKE DEEPENS AS PUBLIC UNIVERSITY STUDENTS REMAIN IN LIMBO

The future of students in public universities remains uncertain as lecturers have vowed to press on with their strike, throwing academic calendars into disarray. The industrial action, spearheaded by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), has brought learning in all public universities to a standstill since September 17, despite the government releasing Sh2.5 billion as part payment of arrears. Students now find themselves stranded, unsure when their studies will resume.

Lecturers accuse the government of reneging on two collective bargaining agreements (CBAs): the 2017–2021 deal and the 2022–2025 pact, with unpaid dues totalling more than Sh7.9 billion. They insist the strike will not be called off until all arrears are cleared.

The nationwide strike, which was declared on September 17 by UASU and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), demands a cumulative settlement of Sh11.53 billion in pay arrears dating back to 2017. At the centre of the dispute is Sh2.73 billion owed under the second phase of the 2021–2025 CBA, alongside Sh8.8 billion from the 2017–2021 agreement.

Additionally, the unions are pushing for negotiations, registration, and implementation of a new 2025–2029 CBA. They accuse the government — through the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF), the Ministry of Education, and the National Treasury — of bad faith. Union leaders point to a January 2021 court ruling that directed the state and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to fund the full implementation of the 2017–2021 CBA, which they say has been ignored.

They have also rejected government proposals of a two per cent salary increment and staggered allowances, arguing that while other public servants benefit from medical schemes, car loans, and mortgages, university lecturers have been excluded for over ten years.