NAIROBI, Kenya – University lecturers across the country have issued a two-week ultimatum to the government, warning of an impending strike if a long-overdue salary deal is not honored.
The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) is demanding the immediate implementation of the 2021-2025 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which was meant to come into effect last month.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 1, UASU Organizing Secretary Onesmus Mutio accused the government of reneging on its commitment to increase lecturers’ salaries and pay arrears dating back to October.
“The government had assured us that December salaries would reflect the new rates, including arrears for October and November,” Mutio said. “However, lecturers went home for the holidays without the promised payments, despite a circular from the Principal Secretary instructing universities to prepare for the new payroll.”
This latest standoff comes just weeks after lecturers returned to work following a prolonged strike last year.
The strike, which began on September 18, 2024, was called off on November 23 after UASU and the government reached a return-to-work agreement.
The deal included a commitment to implement the Sh9.7 billion CBA in phases, with the first Sh4.3 billion installment covering nine months through June 2025.
Mutio, however, lamented that the government has yet to deliver on its promise. “They have let us down not once but twice.
This time, we are prepared to stay out until every penny is paid,” he declared.
Under the current agreement, the remaining Sh5.4 billion is to be released in two equal installments of Sh2.7 billion.
The funds are earmarked in the 2024/2025 financial year under Supplementary Estimates II.
The government’s failure to implement the deal has reignited tensions within the academic sector, with lecturers arguing that the delay undermines their welfare and the quality of education.
If the government does not act within the 15-day notice period, university lecturers are expected to down their tools once again, disrupting academic activities in public universities nationwide.
The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) is demanding the immediate implementation of the 2021-2025 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which was meant to come into effect last month.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 1, UASU Organizing Secretary Onesmus Mutio accused the government of reneging on its commitment to increase lecturers’ salaries and pay arrears dating back to October.
“The government had assured us that December salaries would reflect the new rates, including arrears for October and November,” Mutio said. “However, lecturers went home for the holidays without the promised payments, despite a circular from the Principal Secretary instructing universities to prepare for the new payroll.”
This latest standoff comes just weeks after lecturers returned to work following a prolonged strike last year.
The strike, which began on September 18, 2024, was called off on November 23 after UASU and the government reached a return-to-work agreement.
The deal included a commitment to implement the Sh9.7 billion CBA in phases, with the first Sh4.3 billion installment covering nine months through June 2025.
Mutio, however, lamented that the government has yet to deliver on its promise. “They have let us down not once but twice.
This time, we are prepared to stay out until every penny is paid,” he declared.
Under the current agreement, the remaining Sh5.4 billion is to be released in two equal installments of Sh2.7 billion.
The funds are earmarked in the 2024/2025 financial year under Supplementary Estimates II.
The government’s failure to implement the deal has reignited tensions within the academic sector, with lecturers arguing that the delay undermines their welfare and the quality of education.
If the government does not act within the 15-day notice period, university lecturers are expected to down their tools once again, disrupting academic activities in public universities nationwide.
