University lecturers begin nationwide strike over CBA deal

The strike by members of the Universities' Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) follows the collapse of talks between the unions and the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF).

The lecturers are protesting what they describe as unilateral decisions on salaries, terms of service and working conditions.

They rejected recommendations made to the Ministry of Education and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission without prior negotiations with the unions, saying employment terms should be agreed through a CBA rather than government circulars.

The unions also rejected a proposed Ksh.9.76 billion settlement, arguing that the figure was not negotiated.

Staff shortages and heavy workloads are also among the issues raised by the lecturers.

UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga warned that the strike could continue for an extended period if the government's position does not change.

"This thing is going to take long. In 2003, when UASU got 116 per cent salary increment, UASU went on strike for nine months. Hizi strikes za 49 days, 70 days, they make us not get what we want. Tighten your belt the way we did in 2003," Wasonga stated.

KUSU Secretary General Dr. Charles Mukhwaya said the union would continue with the strike until its demands are addressed.

"Hii ngoma tunayoanzisha leo, tutairindima hadi itoe moshi. Ikitaka kupasuka, ipasuke, lakini haki yetu tupewe. Serikali ndiyo imeitisha mgomo huu," Mukhwaya stated.

"Do you want to be paid by student fees? We reject. Are the universities market-based? We are public universities and the Constitution puts clearly public officers are paid from the Consolidated Fund and funds appropriated by Parliament," Prof. George Osanjo, UASU University of Nairobi chapter secretary, added.

The unions had rejected an annual salary increment of four per cent proposed by IPUCCF, insisting on the immediate implementation of the 2025–2029 CBA.

The dispute comes after the unions and university councils failed to reach an agreement during negotiations on Thursday.