NAIROBI, Kenya – Public university staff unions have vowed to intensify their nationwide strike after rejecting a Sh11.9 billion government offer for the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), prolonging a dispute that has disrupted learning across public universities.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA) rejected the latest proposal during negotiations on Monday, October 26, saying the amount was inadequate to meet their demands.
The government’s counter-offer of Sh11,958,504,776 was lower than the Sh12 billion proposal presented earlier this month, according to the unions.
UASU said the latest offer translated to an estimated three per cent increase in basic salaries, which it argued did not adequately reflect the rising cost of living or address outstanding employment terms.
“The strike therefore continues,” the union declared, warning that industrial action would be intensified until its demands were substantively addressed.
Unions Demand Better Pay Deal
The latest breakdown in negotiations leaves university workers and the government without an agreement, despite several meetings aimed at resolving the dispute.
UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga said the unions were dissatisfied with the reduction in the government’s offer and questioned why the proposed amount had fallen from Sh12 billion.
The unions have argued that the overall cost of the CBA should be determined through negotiations on individual salary and allowance components rather than through a single funding figure presented before those discussions are concluded.
Among the outstanding issues is the review of house allowances, which union officials say have not been adjusted for 17 years.
The unions are also demanding a written government commitment guaranteeing that public university staff salaries will be funded through the National Exchequer.
UASU maintains that the funding commitment and a credible counter-offer are essential to resolving the dispute.
Strike Continues to Disrupt Learning
The industrial action began on October 2, following prolonged disagreements over the implementation and negotiation of the 2025–2029 CBA.
Teaching and learning activities in public universities have since been disrupted, with students facing uncertainty over when normal academic programmes will resume.
The dispute comes despite a previous return-to-work formula signed in November 2025, which required the parties to fast-track negotiations for the new CBA.
The unions have since turned to Parliament seeking intervention, asking lawmakers to press the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury to provide an adequate offer backed by a binding funding commitment.
Education Dispute Amid Political Activity
The prolonged strike is unfolding as President William Ruto continues his political engagements ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The dispute has raised questions about how quickly the government and university employers can resolve the pay and funding disagreements while students remain affected by the industrial action.
