Lecturers vow to continue strike until full CBA payment released

University lecturers have vowed to continue their strike until the government releases Ksh.7.9 billion owed to them under the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), rejecting what they term as stalled talks and “public relations exercises” from the State.

During a march outside the University of Nairobi on Wednesday, leaders of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) reiterated their demand for full implementation of the court-ordered payment and immediate negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA.

UASU National Chairperson Grace Nyongesa said lecturers would not return to work until the long-standing dispute is resolved.

“We are marching for victory today on the issues we are fighting for. On the 2017–2021 CBA, our demand is clear — we want the full Ksh.7.9 billion implemented, and we will negotiate for that CBA in total,” she said.

“Four years down the line, its value has already depreciated.”

Nyongesa said lecturers were “deeply frustrated” by the government’s failure to address their grievances, accusing authorities of neglecting the teaching profession.

“We are heavily taxed, yet the system isn’t working — pension schemes are collapsing, and we are demanding dignity in our profession. We will not return to work until even the new 2025–2029 CBA is discussed and agreed upon,” she added.

UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wesonga confirmed that the unions had been invited for a payroll audit meeting in Machakos on Thursday regarding arrears from the 2017–2021 CBA.

However, he dismissed the meeting as unnecessary, insisting that the union already has verified figures.

“The court ruled that the 2017–2021 CBA stands at Ksh.7.8 billion, and we will not allow the government to overturn that judgment through the back door,” Dr Wesonga said.

“We already know what tomorrow’s outcome will be. We will table our audit, take tea, and return, because this strike will not end until Ksh.7.1 billion hits our accounts.”

He also rejected the government’s offer of Ksh.3 billion for the new 2025–2029 CBA, terming it “a joke of the highest order.”

“They had committed to harmonize our allowances, but now they are suggesting a reduction instead,” she said. “I want to tell the country that, unfortunately, we are headed for a long lecturers’ strike.”

KUSU Secretary-General Charles Mukhwaya accused Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba of mishandling the negotiations and undermining a court ruling.

“CS Ogamba was not in office when this CBA was being discussed; he does not understand the origin of this crisis, yet he has been quick to dismiss what we are telling the public,” said Dr Mukhwaya.

“The Ksh.7.9 billion is non-negotiable. Ogamba has no power to revise a court order.”

He termed the Machakos payroll audit “a PR exercise,” saying unions will instead focus on pressing their demands at key government offices.

“We will not reopen any audit or discuss any report. Today, we want to go to the Ministry of Education, Parliament, and the Treasury to remind them that the CBA is our business,” Mukhwaya said.

The lecturers’ strike, now in its fourth week, has paralysed learning in public universities across the country, with the unions insisting they will not resume work until their demands are met in full.

Lecturers want the State to settle Ksh.7.9 billion in outstanding dues from the 2017-2021 CBA and also commence new talks for the 2025-2029 CBA.

The ongoing paralysis of learning in public universities mirrors a similar one last year, which saw the semester spill over to the first quarter of this year.

As a result, a section of students has threatened to also go on strike if the government does not resolve the dons' strike.