NAIROBI, Kenya — Public university lecturers could return to lecture halls as early as Monday, November 10, if union members agree to a proposal for the phased settlement of Sh7.94 billion in salary arrears owed under the 2017–21 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The strike, now in its 48th day since it began on September 17, has crippled academic operations in 42 public universities across the country.
However, signs of a possible breakthrough emerged on Tuesday after the University Academic Staff Union (Uasu) indicated a willingness to reconsider its hardline stance following mediation by the National Assembly’s Committee on Education.
Speaking during the meeting chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly at Jogoo House B in Nairobi, Uasu Secretary General Constantine Wasonga said the union would meet within four days to deliberate on a compromise deal.
He praised the parliamentary committee for handling the matter with fairness, contrasting its approach with what he described as the dismissive attitude of the Inter-Public Universities Councils’ Consultative Forum (IPUCCF).
“The way IPUCCF manages university staff is perfunctory,” said Wasonga. “Because of your chairmanship and how honourable members have engaged us, I’m going to plead with our members to reconsider. You don’t push us or call us names.”
The mediation, which brought together Uasu, the Kenya University Staff Union (Kusu), the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), the Ministry of Education, and the IPUCCF, sought to finalize a Return-to-Work Formula that would allow universities to reopen.
At the centre of the dispute is a Sh180 million discrepancy between the lecturers’ demand of Sh7.94 billion and the Sh7.76 billion verified by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The Ministry of Education insists the verified figure is accurate and should be paid in two instalments, while the unions have pushed for full payment.
Wasonga, however, hinted at flexibility, suggesting an 80-20 formula as a middle ground after the ministry proposed a 50-50 split.
“Eighty pc will be Sh5 billion, so that Sh2 billion is taken to 2026–27. That is my irreducible minimum for the sake of the committee and the students of this country,” he said, adding that implementation should begin immediately.
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who attended the session, cautioned that disbursement must follow due diligence and legal procedures before funds are released.
Lecturers had downed tools over three main grievances: payment of the second tranche of arrears for the 2021–25 CBA, the commencement of talks for the 2025–29 CBA, and full implementation of the 2017–21 CBA.
If Uasu members approve the compromise, universities could reopen next week, offering relief to thousands of students whose academic calendars have been severely disrupted.
The committee is expected to reconvene later in the week to receive feedback from UASU and other unions on the proposed settlement framework.
