Kenya, 5 November 2025 - A long-running industrial action by university lecturers in Kenya has finally come to a close after 49 days, following a breakthrough agreement between the government and the lecturers’ union. The stalemate originated over unpaid salary arrears and unresolved Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), and its resolution brings hope for students, parents and academic institutions alike.
The dispute centred on unpaid amounts owed under the 2017-2021 CBA and lingering grievances over the 2021-2025 pact. Union officials from the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) maintained that the government owed KSh 7.9 billion under the earlier agreement, while the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) put the figure at a much lower amount, a gap that deepened the mistrust.
UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga commented during negotiations: “Initially, they wanted to pay it in three phases; they have narrowed it down to two phases. We are going to consult our members, and the government is also going to consult.” He added: “We are asking for an 80-20 payment ratio, with KSh 5 billion paid now and KSh 2 billion in the 2026/27 financial year. That is my irreducible minimum for the sake of the committee and the students of this country.”
In response, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba defended the government’s position, acknowledging the constraints; “To say payment will be immediate is misleading. If I promise immediate payment, people will expect money next week, and I’m not ready to lie.” Under the agreement reached, the government committed to pay the outstanding KSh 7.9 billion arrears in two phases: half to be paid between November and December 2025, and the remaining half by July 2026. It also undertook to fully implement the 2021-2025 CBA, valued at approximately KSh 9.7 billion.
The phased payment structure was designed to avoid further disruption while giving the treasury space to meet its obligations. With the deal in hand, lecturers agreed to call off the strike and resume work. They pledged to make up for lost academic time through extended hours and weekend classes, aiming to restore the academic calendar and minimise the impact on students. At the same time, the union warned that any failure by the government to honour the agreement would prompt renewed industrial action.
In a comment reflective of the union’s firm stance, UASU’s Wasonga said; “We shall not compromise on the payment of KSh 7.9 billion, and it must be paid in full. History has taught us that if we agree to partial payments, it only leads to another strike.” The resolution brings relief to many students and parents across Kenya whose studies were disrupted. Several public universities had warned of closure if the stalemate dragged on further. The union emphasised that resumption of classes must follow full payment of arrears to avoid repeating the cycle of strikes that have long plagued higher education in Kenya.
Beyond the immediate deal, the pact carries deeper implications for Kenya’s higher education sector. It sets a precedent for timely implementation of CBAs and underscores the importance of stable industrial relations in academia. The government’s commitment to future agreements signals recognition of the value of lecturers in driving research, teaching and innovation across the public university system. For university management and policy-makers, the lesson is clear: unresolved labour disputes in academia risk not only staff morale but institutional credibility and student outcomes.
