University lecturers are expected to return to classrooms on Monday after their union reached a Sh20 billion financial agreement with the government, raising hopes of an end to a nationwide strike that has disrupted learning at public universities for nearly a month.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) said it would formally call off the strike on Friday, October 30, after its technical team documents the terms agreed upon during negotiations.
UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga announced the breakthrough on Wednesday, October 28, following talks involving union officials and senior government representatives.
“We have agreed on a figure we have negotiated with the government, not a figure imposed on the union,” Wasonga said.
He urged lecturers to prepare to return to their respective institutions, assuring students that teaching would resume at the beginning of next week.
“To comrades, start walking towards your universities. I want to assure you that on Monday, you shall have your lessons,” he said.
Government and union reach breakthrough
The agreement follows weeks of stalled negotiations over the implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which sets out the terms and benefits sought by university staff.
The strike began on October 2 after talks failed to produce an agreement acceptable to the unions. The government had previously maintained that its financial offer was limited, while lecturers argued that the proposed allocation would not adequately meet their demands.
The latest breakthrough followed discussions involving Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, university representatives and union officials.
Wasonga thanked the government officials involved in the negotiations and praised Ogamba for helping move the discussions towards a settlement.
The union has maintained that its demands extend beyond basic salary increases. They include the harmonisation of allowances and arrangements relating to staff car loans and mortgages.
UASU has also raised concerns about medical cover, staff shortages and the funding of university employees, arguing that salaries should be financed through the National Exchequer rather than student fees.
Students await return to class
The industrial action has left thousands of students facing uncertainty over their academic calendars, with teaching and other university activities disrupted since the strike began.
On Tuesday, University of Nairobi students staged protests demanding a resolution, expressing frustration over the prolonged interruption to their studies.
The Sh20 billion agreement offers a possible way out of the standoff, although the details of how the money will be allocated and when individual staff members will receive the benefits have not been disclosed in the supplied reports.
The union's technical team is expected to put the agreed terms in writing before the formal signing and announcement that the strike has ended.
Until the agreement is signed and the union officially calls off the industrial action, the planned Monday return to lectures remains dependent on the completion of those steps.
