The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has rejected the Public Service Commission's (PSC) proposal to raise the retirement age for university lecturers from 65 to 70 years. The union also called for a review of payment structures for part-time lecturers, highlighting inconsistencies and exploitation.
Retirement Age Concerns
UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga expressed surprise at the proposal, noting that lecturers were not consulted before it was suggested. The union warned that extending the retirement age would limit job opportunities for younger academics and delay recruitment of new teaching staff in public universities.
“Has the government ever allocated funds specifically for recruiting lecturers?” Wesonga questioned during a briefing on August 4, 2026, underscoring the existing shortage of academic positions.
Part-Time Teaching Challenges
The union launched a campaign against the heavy reliance on part-time teaching, arguing it denies qualified graduates full-time employment opportunities. Wesonga urged members to stop accepting part-time teaching roles, stating it disadvantages fellow academics seeking permanent positions.
Additionally, UASU criticized the uneven and low payment rates for part-time lecturers, which vary widely across institutions—from as low as 500 shillings to 2,500 shillings per lesson. The union demands standardized pay scales negotiated collectively rather than set individually by universities.
Wesonga also revealed that some lecturers begin teaching without formal appointment letters, complicating their ability to claim payment.
Union Directives and Call to Action
In a decisive move, UASU has instructed its members to cease part-time teaching assignments until the issues are resolved. The union challenged universities to increase permanent academic staff to meet the demands of nearly one million students currently taught by about 9,000 lecturers.
“University lecture halls are full, and the current staffing levels are insufficient,” Wesonga emphasized.
