NAIROBI, Kenya—Lecturers and other employees in Kenya’s public universities have begun a nationwide strike after their unions rejected a revised proposal for the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The strike involves members of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA).
The unions declared the strike after negotiations with the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) ended without an agreement in Machakos on Thursday.
They said the revised offer did not adequately address key issues including salaries, allowances, medical cover and the employment terms of lecturers and other academic staff serving under supplementary arrangements.
The unions also accused the employers’ side of failing to implement provisions of the registered 2021–2025 CBA, particularly commitments relating to the harmonisation of allowances under the new agreement.
A major point of disagreement is the proposed annual four per cent salary increment, which the unions rejected as inadequate.
According to the unions, the proposed increase is below the prevailing inflation rate and would not sufficiently cushion university employees against the rising cost of living.
UASU National Coordinating Secretary Jacob Musembi, speaking on behalf of the three unions, said the offer presented by the employers’ side failed to address the workers’ concerns raised during the negotiations.
The strike is expected to affect teaching and other operations in public universities as the unions press for further negotiations and a revised offer.
President William Ruto, speaking during interviews with coastal radio stations on Thursday evening, said his administration would address the grievances raised by university lecturers and other staff as the CBA dispute continues.
