NAIROBI, Kenya — The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has issued a seven-day strike notice, warning that lecturers in public universities will withdraw their teaching services from October 2, 2026, if the dispute over the stalled 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is not resolved.
UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga said the union had taken the decision after negotiations over the new agreement failed to produce a resolution.
The planned strike would affect teaching staff across public universities and could disrupt lectures, examinations, student assessments and other scheduled academic activities.
UASU Sets October 2 Strike Date
Wasonga said university lecturers would down their tools on October 2 if the outstanding issues surrounding the 2025–2029 CBA remain unresolved.
The seven-day notice gives the Government and other stakeholders a final window to address the dispute before lecturers begin the industrial action.
UASU has been pushing for the implementation of a new CBA covering the period from 2025 to 2029, with negotiations focusing on terms and conditions of service for academic staff.
Public Universities Face Disruption
If implemented, the strike would affect teaching and other academic activities in public universities across the country.
Students could face interruptions to scheduled lectures, examinations, continuous assessments, and other academic programmes depending on the duration and extent of the strike.
The timing could also complicate university calendars, where institutions are already working within fixed examination and semester schedules.
CBA Dispute at the Centre of Strike Threat
The planned industrial action is centred on the stalled 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement between UASU and the Government.
CBAs determine key employment terms for university teaching staff, including remuneration and other conditions of service.
UASU’s decision to issue a strike notice signals an escalation in the dispute as the union seeks movement on the outstanding issues.
Prolonged Strike Could Raise Campus Tensions
Beyond disruption to academic programmes, a prolonged lecturers’ strike could create additional pressure on university campuses.
Extended interruptions could frustrate students whose examinations, assessments, or graduation schedules are affected, potentially increasing tensions if negotiations between the union and the government deteriorate.
The immediate focus, however, remains on negotiations over the 2025–2029 CBA and whether the two sides can reach an agreement before the October 2 deadline.
