Lecturers' Strike Continues to Cripple Higher Education
Education Updated: 30 October 2025 12:05 EAT
The nationwide university lecturers' strike has escalated, now entering its seventh week, with dons vowing to maintain until the end of the year. This declaration follows the rejection of a government offer to settle their substantial salary arrears in phases.
The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) rejected the government's proposal to clear the Sh7.9 billion salary arrears in three separate installments.
According to UASU, all classes in the country’s 42 public universities will remain suspended, with learning paralyzed indefinitely.
Constantine Wesonga, the Secretary General of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), has vehemently rejected the government’s proposal for phased payments, accusing the administration of a chronic failure to honor Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
UASU is standing firm on two demands: the full payment of all outstanding salary arrears and the complete implementation of the 2019–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The current first semester, which began in September and was originally scheduled to conclude by the second week of December, is now in jeopardy. With six weeks of instruction already lost and negotiations stalled, the delay threatens to push back final-year students' graduation dates and force others to miss crucial industry placements, creating a major ripple effect throughout the entire academic year.
Tags: UASU 2019–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement Editor's Pick
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