The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has officially called off its nationwide lecturers’ strike, paving the way for the immediate resumption of classes across public universities.
The announcement was made on November 5 by UASU National Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga, following days of intense consultations with union organs and government representatives.
“We have agreed to be paid in two instalments – one between November and December at a cost of 3.8 billion shillings, and the second in June next year. We are happy that we have secured the whole amount,” he said.
The decision marks the end of a standoff that had paralysed learning in public universities for weeks.
The strike had been triggered by disagreements over the implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the delayed disbursement of funds owed to lecturers.
November 4, Wasonga had hinted that the union was considering ending the industrial action after meeting the Parliamentary Education Committee, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, alongside officials from the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury.
“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,” Wasonga said during the November 4 session.
Heated Exchanges in Parliament
The turning point came during a tense Parliamentary Education Committee session held on November 4, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly.
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The meeting brought together officials from UASU, the Ministry of Education, and the National Treasury.
The exchanges in Parliament were marked by a series of sharp back-and-forths between MPs and ministry officials, with legislators pressing the government to move swiftly and end the stalemate.
Melly accused Treasury officials of “dragging their feet while the academic calendar bleeds,” insisting that lecturers’ concerns were legitimate and long overdue.
UASU representatives maintained a hardline stance, demanding full implementation of the CBA without further delays.
“The government cannot continue to plead budget constraints when universities are collapsing,” Wasonga said.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, however, defended the government’s position, citing fiscal pressures and the timing of the national budget cycle.
“We are not refusing to pay; we are managing within our means,” Ogamba said, appealing for patience.
After several hours of deliberations, the committee brokered a compromise: the government would release 80 percent of the owed funds immediately, with the remaining 20 percent deferred to the 2026–2027 financial year.
Impact on Universities and Students
The strike’s ripple effects were felt across the country, forcing several public universities to suspend operations due to the absence of teaching staff.
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Among those that had officially closed their campuses were Egerton University, Pwani University, Karatina University, Laikipia University, and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
University managements had issued notices to students advising them to vacate hostels and await further communication pending resolution of the crisis.
With the strike now suspended, the affected institutions are expected to recall students and readjust their academic calendars to compensate for lost teaching weeks.
A Return to Normalcy
UASU’s decision to call off the strike brings relief to thousands of university students who had been stranded mid-semester.
Classes are expected to resume immediately, with universities instructed to make necessary adjustments to ensure smooth continuity.
Wasonga urged the government to act swiftly to honour the agreement, warning that the union would not hesitate to take further action if promises are broken.
“The lecturers have shown good faith. Now it’s time for the government to do the same,” he said.
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Lecture halls not classrooms