University lecturers under the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) have reached a KSh 20 billion agreement with the government, ending a four-week strike that paralysed learning in public universities.
The strike began on 2 October 2026 after negotiations over the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) stalled. Lecturers, joined by other university staff unions, walked out demanding better pay and allowances. Earlier government offers of approximately KSh 9.76 billion, KSh 12 billion, and a revised KSh 11.96 billion were rejected by the unions, who argued the figures were inadequate and would amount to only about a 3% basic salary increase.
On Wednesday, 28 October 2026, after high-level talks involving Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, university heads, and union leaders, the two sides settled on a KSh 20 billion package. This covers basic salaries and allowances under the 2025–2029 CBA.
UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga confirmed the breakthrough, stating:
“We have a deal on the financials… Today we have agreed on a figure we have negotiated with the government, not a figure imposed on the unions.”
He noted the jump from previous lower offers and described it as a negotiated outcome rather than an imposed one. Technical teams were scheduled to meet to put the agreement in writing.
Formal signing of the return-to-work formula is expected on Friday, 30 October 2026 (around 3pm).
Lecturers are expected to resume teaching on Monday, 2 November 2026.
Students have been advised to begin returning to campuses.
The deal marks a significant resolution after weeks of disruption that affected teaching across dozens of public universities and sparked student protests, including road blockades in Nairobi.
0 Comments