Lecturers begin strike despite Ksh.2.5 billion offer from government

UASU lecturers at the University of Nairobi (UON) and Maseno University downed their tools on Wednesday, arguing that their financial demands have still not been met as agreed in the Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

This after Treasury released Ksh.2.5 billion to be utilized in the implementation of Phase 2 of the 2021-2025 CBAs in a bid to quell the impending strike.

Speaking on Wednesday, UASU Chapter Secretary at UoN Dr. Maloba Wekesa said that the State has failed lecturers and all pending fiscal arrears have not yet been honored.

He said that Ksh.7.9 billion in owed arrears under the 2017 CBA has not yet been paid despite the court ruling in favour of terms agreed in the agreements.

"Members of staff have been reduced to beggars. Phase 2 was meant to have been paid. We gave the government 7 days to act after a 3-month delay," he said on a CBA signed on November 2024.

"In 2017-2021 we had a similar CBA. It took 36 months for the government to pen down an agreement. We were denied a yearly increment. Courts said go ahead and implement. On March 25th 2025, the court ruled in favour."

He added that the government had promised to fully implement the CBAs and "it has been crickets, silence" since then.

"UoN staffers healthcare matters taken for granted, management should address these matters."

The Nairobi branch Secretary for Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) Peter Waita added that lecturers have been denied what is rightfully theirs.

He asserted that lecturers will not relent until their dues are paid.

"The government continues to neglect workers. They must implement 2017-2021, 2022-2025 CBAs and initiate negotiations for 2025-2029 CBA," Waita noted.

UASU's Moi University Acting Secretary General Dr. Dan Mukhwana said that the strike will only end if the government honours its end of the deal.

"Our CBA of four years ago has not been implemented. If that money isn't paid, we are not returning to classes. The next cycle started in July. We have not been given a counteroffer, we must strike." he said.

"We will strike until the deal is concluded. If the money has not hit members' accounts. The Vice Chancellor of UON must wake up and make decisions and if you can't quit."

Similar strikes have also commenced at Egerton and Kisii Universities.