Students at Egerton University and Pwani University have been directed to vacate their campuses following the suspension of teaching and learning activities due to the ongoing countrywide strike by university staff unions.
In a notice issued by Egerton University’s Registrar for Academic Affairs on November 4, 2025, the institution announced the temporary suspension of all academic activities due to industrial action by the University’s Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), which had disrupted normal operations.
The university’s Senate, in its 580th meeting held on Tuesday, resolved to halt all teaching and learning activities “until the industrial dispute is resolved.” Students have been given until Wednesday, November 5, at 2:00 p.m. to vacate the university premises.
Egerton and Pwani Universities closed indefinitely
However, the directive does not apply to medical and law students, international students, and postgraduate students, who will continue with their programmes as scheduled.
Egerton University advised students to monitor official communication channels, including the university website and social media pages, for updates on the resumption of studies.
At Pwani University, the Acting Registrar for Academic and Students Affairs issued a similar directive, citing a six-week disruption to the first semester of the 2025/2026 academic year.
In an internal memo dated November 4, the Senate ordered an immediate suspension of learning and instructed students to vacate the premises by Wednesday, November 5.
The Senate and the Vice Chancellor expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by the industrial action, thanking students for their “patience, understanding, and cooperation.”
Egerton and Pwani universities join a list of higher learning institutions that have suspended teaching and learning activities due to the ongoing countrywide strike. Others include Karatina University and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
Also Read: JKUAT Closed Indefinitely, Students Given Deadline to Vacate Campus
UASU considers reversing strike after talks with Parliament and Treasury
Meanwhile, UASU has signaled a possible review of its ongoing strike following discussions with the Parliamentary Committee on Education, chaired by Tinderet Member of Parliament Julius Melly, alongside officials from the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury.
Appearing before the committee on Tuesday, November 4, UASU National Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga stated that the union would convene its internal organs to reconsider the strike in the interest of students and the country.
“For the sake of the children and students of this country, we are going to convene the organs of the union so that we can reconsider. You could tell from the way lecturers came out to strike — these are people who could have stayed out until January. However, due to your chairmanship and the honourable members who have engaged with us, I would like to plead with our members to reconsider. You do not push us or call us names,” said Wasonga.
The union leader acknowledged that the strike was a sign of lecturers’ frustration, saying many were demoralized and pushed to take drastic action.
“You could tell from the way lecturers came out to strike — these are people who could have stayed out until January. But because of your chairmanship and the honourable members who have engaged with us, I am going to plead with our members to reconsider,” he added.
Apology to lecturers
However, Wasonga demanded that the Ministry of Education issue an apology for previously labeling lecturers as “confused” and urging them to return to class without addressing their grievances.
Also Read: Court Gives Direction in Case on Nationwide Lecturers Strike
He also proposed an 80-20 payment model, under which the government would release 80 percent of the funds owed and defer the remaining 20 percent to the 2026–2027 financial year.
“The worst of the worst is the 80-20 proposal — giving us 80 percent and retaining 20 percent. Eighty percent translates to about Ksh5 billion, while the remaining Ksh2 billion is pushed to the 2026–2027 financial year. That is my irreducible minimum, for the sake of the committee chairperson, the honourable committee members, and the students of this country, is fairness and respect,” Wasonga explained.
Earlier, the UASU secretary-general warned that the Ministry of Education’s existing financial obligations could hinder the implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
He told MPs that the ministry is still managing financial commitments from previous CBAs and staff benefit schemes, which could strain the education budget in the years to come.
According to Wasonga, approximately Ksh 2.37 billion under the 2021–2025 CBA is expected to mature on July 1, while another Ksh 2.73 billion is anticipated to fall due in the 2026–2027 financial year.
He cautioned that introducing new commitments without clearing existing ones could further burden the sector’s finances, delaying fair compensation for university staff
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