A nationwide university strike entered its second day on Thursday, September 18, 2025, following the collapse of talks between lecturers’ unions and the government.
Both sides have pointed fingers at the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) as the key stumbling block in resolving the ongoing dispute.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) announced that lecturers will withhold their services until three demands are met.
These include the release of Sh2.73 billion from Phase Two of the 2021-2025 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), due in July, Sh7.9 billion still outstanding from the 2017-2021 CBA, and the initiation of negotiations and registration for the 2025-2029 CBA.
The strike has already been felt, with students at institutions like Egerton, Moi, Maseno, and the University of Nairobi facing disruptions.
Union leaders vow to press on until the government addresses their financial grievances.
CS Education on Lectures Strike
Earlier, the education CS had confirmed that the National Treasury had disbursed the funds, urging lecturers to suspend the strike notice issued on September 10 and allow time for the money to be reflected in their accounts.
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However, learning in public universities had come to a standstill after the strike had kicked off.
He further stated that the government remained committed to honoring all negotiated financial obligations and requested for dialogue as the way forward.
“We appeal to our lecturers to suspend the strike and allow ongoing efforts to conclude so that learning is not disrupted,” said Ogamba.
UASU officials rejected the appeal, insisting the strike would continue until the money is received and other pending issues are resolved.
UASU Lists Three Demands
UASU outlined three key grievances that remain unresolved despite a court directive stating that the SRC should work together with the IPUCCF Implementation Committee, the Ministry of Education, and the Treasury to make provision for the additional budgetary allocation necessary for implementing the CBAs.
- Failure to implement the 2021-2025 Phase Two CBA arrears amounting to Ksh2.73 billion for the 2025/2026 financial year.
- Failure to negotiate, conclude, register, and implement the 2025-2029 National CBA in line with the Recognition Agreement signed on October 28, 2019, between UASU and the Inter-Public Universities’ Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF).
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- Failure to implement the 2017-2021 CBA, despite rulings by the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC CBA Nos. 1, 2, and 3 of 2020), which directed the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to work with IPUCCF, the Ministry of Education, and the Treasury to provide the necessary budgetary allocation.
Education Funding
The government had allocated Ksh702.7 billion to the education sector in the proposed 2025/26 national budget.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary, John Mbadi, while presenting the budget estimates to the National Assembly on Wednesday, described education as a “critical pillar.”
“This budget reflects our priority in human capital development. I have proposed a total allocation of Sh702.7 billion to the Education Sector,” said Mbadi
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