Kenya university lecturers plan protests as strike threatens to last for months

University lecturers in Kenya are threatening to prolong their nationwide strike as negotiations with the government remain deadlocked, with their union announcing plans for demonstrations in Nairobi to press for a settlement over salaries and working conditions.

The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) announced a procession scheduled for Oct 15, with members planning to march from the University of Nairobi’s Graduation Square to Parliament, the National Treasury and the Ministry of Education offices. The union notified police of the planned demonstration and requested security for participants.

The protest plans came as the strike, which began on Oct 2, entered its second week. Members of UASU, the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA) are demanding an agreement on the 2025–2029 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) before returning to work.

Salary offer fails to resolve dispute

The unions rejected a KSh12 billion government counteroffer during talks on Oct 12, saying it did not adequately address their demands. The negotiations collapsed for the second time in a week, prolonging the disruption at public universities.

UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga said the proposal was inadequate and accused the government of failing to present an offer that addressed the unions’ specific demands. The unions have called for a binding agreement covering salary adjustments, allowances and other employment benefits.

They are also seeking a written financial commitment from the government and the National Treasury for the new CBA. The dispute follows months of stalled negotiations between the unions and the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum, which represents public university employers.

The unions have argued that the government must negotiate and implement the new agreement rather than rely on proposals they say do not meet the needs of university staff.

Government says previous salary arrears have been cleared

The government has maintained that it wants to resolve the dispute while keeping the cost of an agreement affordable for universities and the state.

Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala has said the government is seeking a fair settlement. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has also urged lecturers to resume teaching, saying outstanding arrears under the 2017–2021 and 2021–2025 collective bargaining agreements have been cleared.

However, the unions maintain that resolving previous arrears does not settle their demands under the 2025–2029 agreement.

The current strike is the second major university staff stoppage in 13 months. The previous strike ended on November 5, 2025, after unions reached an agreement with the government over arrears under the earlier CBA.

Students face further disruption

The continuing strike has disrupted teaching and other academic activities at public universities, leaving students uncertain about classes, examinations and graduation schedules.

A prolonged stoppage could require universities to adjust academic calendars and extend semesters, while students may continue paying for accommodation, food and other living expenses during the interruption.

Kenya Universities Staff Union Secretary General Charles Mukhwaya has warned that the strike could continue into the Christmas and New Year period if the government fails to present an acceptable offer.

With negotiations yet to produce a settlement, the unions are maintaining pressure on the government through industrial action and planned demonstrations. The resumption of normal university activities will depend on whether the two sides can reach an agreement on the outstanding terms of the new CBA.