Lecturers' Strike Continues After CBA Talks Fail with Gov't

The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has announced plans to escalate the ongoing strike in public universities after negotiations with the government over the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) collapsed on Monday, October 12.

The meeting between UASU, the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), and the government’s Inter-Ministerial Committee ended without a resolution on Monday.

The union said the government presented a counter-proposal that was largely similar to the offer tabled on October 1, describing it as inadequate to resolve the dispute.

“The talks have collapsed. The strike therefore continues,” UASU said.

The union also cited the absence of the National Treasury, which had been invited to the meeting but sent its apologies. UASU said the Treasury’s participation was necessary to address funding questions at the centre of the dispute, particularly the financing of salaries for staff in public universities.

The financial disagreement comes amid UASU’s rejection of a proposed KSh9.76 billion allocation for the 2025–2029 CBA. The union has argued that the amount is insufficient to meet its demands under the four-year agreement.

UASU accused the government of failing to demonstrate a commitment to resolving the dispute, arguing that presenting substantially the same offer did not amount to meaningful engagement.

The union has demanded that the government table a credible counter-offer and conclude the 2025–2029 CBA. It has also called for a firm commitment to Exchequer funding for salaries in public universities.

Following the collapse of the talks, UASU announced that it would intensify the strike until its demands were addressed. It urged staff in public universities to remain united and steadfast as the industrial action continues.

The breakdown leaves negotiations unresolved, with the union maintaining its position that the strike will only end when the outstanding issues are substantively addressed.