NAIROBI, Kenya — The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has threatened to call a nationwide strike by lecturers over delays in negotiating the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and a government policy proposing different retirement ages for academic staff.
The union warned that unless the government addresses the two issues urgently, lecturers across public universities could down their tools, disrupting teaching, examinations, research and postgraduate supervision ahead of the next academic term.
At the centre of the dispute is a Public Service Commission (PSC) circular issued in March 2026, which set the retirement age for professors and associate professors at 70 years, while lecturers, senior lecturers and other academic staff would retire at 65 years.
UASU has opposed the policy, arguing that it was introduced without adequate consultation and could significantly reduce the country’s pool of experienced academics.
Speaking on behalf of the union, UASU University of Nairobi Chapter Secretary Prof. George Osanjo said the policy would disproportionately affect the University of Nairobi because of its ageing academic workforce.
“The University of Nairobi is in a very unique position. This is the oldest university in the republic, and it has the most ageing academic staff. The circular will affect the University of Nairobi disproportionately,” Osanjo said.
He warned that implementing the new retirement policy could eventually result in the loss of nearly 70 per cent of the university’s academic staff if no replacement strategy is put in place.
According to Osanjo, the institution has already experienced a significant reduction in its workforce through retirements, resignations, deaths and other exits.
“We have already lost close to 40 per cent of our academic staff through retirement, resignation, deaths and other forms of attrition,” he said.
Beyond the retirement age dispute, UASU accused the government of delaying negotiations for the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement, saying the prolonged stalemate has denied lecturers improved terms and conditions of service.
The union also faulted the government for failing to fully implement previous collective bargaining agreements, arguing that unresolved commitments continue to affect staff morale across public universities.
UASU further rejected a government counter-offer of Sh3.1 billion, saying the proposal falls short of addressing inflation, competitive remuneration and the value of academic work.
Union officials argued that lecturers deserve a compensation package that reflects the rising cost of living and their contribution to teaching, research and innovation.
The latest warning comes amid growing labour unrest in Kenya’s public universities.
At Moi University, lecturers have threatened to disrupt the institution’s September reopening over delayed salary arrears, insisting that government funds allocated to settle outstanding payments must be used for their intended purpose.
According to UASU officials, the government allocated Sh1.2 billion to clear salary arrears accumulated between 2017 and 2022, but the union claims approximately Sh500 million remains unpaid.
“The KSh1.2 billion allocated by the government was meant to settle salary arrears for 2017 to 2022. Those funds must be accounted for, and the outstanding obligations paid,” union officials said.
The disputes at the University of Nairobi and Moi University have highlighted broader challenges facing Kenya’s public university sector, including delayed collective bargaining agreements, staffing shortages, salary disputes and persistent funding constraints.
UASU has urged the government to resume meaningful negotiations on the CBA, review the proposed retirement age policy and honour previous agreements to avert industrial action.
