University lecturers in Kenya's public institutions have announced plans to strike in September if the government fails to implement the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) highlighted that the agreement, which was due for signing in November 2025, remains unresolved. This comes even after the government released Ksh6.8 billion to public universities to clear arrears from previous CBAs covering 2017-2021 and 2021-2025.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed the fund disbursement during a briefing at the State Lodge in Bungoma on August 14, 2026. He emphasized the government's commitment to preventing disruptions in the education sector.
Despite the payment of arrears, UASU insists that outstanding issues within the current agreement must be addressed before they consider halting industrial action. The union also demands that CBA arrears be paid separately from regular salaries to ensure transparency.
Key Issues Raised by UASU
- Salary Harmonisation: UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga called for uniform allowances across public universities, highlighting disparities such as commuter allowances ranging from Ksh12,000 to Ksh50,000.
- Workload Concerns: Lecturers face increasing class sizes and are required to conduct continuous assessments and examinations, creating a heavy workload. Secretary General Lucy Nyakeyo urged a return to handling three courses per semester as per the CBA and legal provisions.
The looming strike poses a significant threat to academic activities as the next semester approaches, raising concerns about potential disruptions in the university sector.
