University strikes disrupt Kenya campuses as Ghana administrators prepare to return

University strikes in Kenya and Ghana have reached different stages, with unresolved salary negotiations continuing to disrupt public universities in Kenya while university administrators in Ghana prepare to return to work following progress in talks with the government.

In Kenya, staff unions are maintaining their industrial action over the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), after rejecting a government offer worth 12.5 billion Kenyan shillings.

In Ghana, two associations representing university administrators have suspended their strikes, saying most of their grievances have been addressed.

The developments highlight the continuing challenges universities face in resolving disputes over pay, allowances and working conditions while limiting disruption to students and academic schedules.

Kenya university strike continues amid stalled negotiations

University staff unions in Kenya have accused the government of failing to reopen negotiations after their rejection of the 12.5 billion Kenyan shilling offer.

The dispute concerns the implementation of the 2025–2029 CBA and has brought teaching and other university activities to a standstill at public institutions.

Members of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and other staff unions have demanded further negotiations over salary increases and employment conditions.

During demonstrations in Nairobi, KUSU Secretary-General Charles Mukhwaya criticised the proposed 3% salary increase as inadequate in the face of rising living costs.

UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga also objected to the government presenting a fixed financial offer without allowing the unions to negotiate its terms.

The unions have called for the agreement to address promotions, allowances, research funding, workloads and staff shortages, in addition to salary adjustments. Wasonga said Kenya needed an additional 25,000 lecturers, including part-time staff, to address staffing gaps in public universities.

The prolonged strike has also affected students. Those living in university hostels or rented accommodation continue to incur living expenses despite the suspension of lectures, while students approaching graduation face uncertainty over missing marks, clearance procedures and scheduled ceremonies.

At Laikipia University, final-year student Celine Kwamboka said difficulties resolving missing marks had left her uncertain about graduating in November. Students at other institutions have reported problems completing administrative procedures while departments remain disrupted.

With no fresh negotiations announced following the rejection of the offer, the dispute remains unresolved.

Ghana university administrators suspend strikes

In Ghana, the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Technical University Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) have suspended their industrial action and are scheduled to resume work on Oct 19.

GAUA National President Reverend Kwaku Karikari Amoah said the association’s National Executive Committee had reviewed progress in negotiations and concluded that about 80% of its grievances had been addressed.

The outstanding concerns will continue to be discussed with government agencies, he said, adding that the decision to suspend the strike reflected progress made through engagement with the education and finance ministries.

The disputes involved market premium payments, alleged incorrect placement on the Single Spine Salary Structure, a proposed 40% allowance for professionals in public and technical universities, an extension of the retirement rollover arrangement and a one-off research allowance payment.

According to Amoah, the government had responded positively to the market premium issue, while the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission had addressed concerns over the retirement rollover. Other matters have been referred to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission for further discussions.

TUSAAG National President Stanley Abopaam also confirmed the suspension, saying members had voted to halt the industrial action following interventions by the education and finance ministries.

Amoah said the associations had considered the effects of the strike on students, parents and the academic calendar. He acknowledged that some issues remained unresolved but expressed confidence that further engagement would help settle them.

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission had directed public universities to reopen by Oct 16 and begin lectures on Oct 19, amid concerns that the strikes could disrupt the academic calendar. The administrators’ return is expected to support efforts to restore normal operations, although negotiations over outstanding grievances will continue. <

Students remain affected by university labour disputes

The situations in the two countries remain different. In Kenya, disagreements over the government’s financial offer have left staff unions unwilling to end their strike, prolonging uncertainty over teaching and graduation schedules.

In Ghana, the suspension of industrial action provides a route towards restoring administrative services, although the resolution of all outstanding demands is still pending.

For students in both countries, the outcome of negotiations will determine how quickly universities can restore normal operations and minimise further disruption to academic programmes.