On Wednesday, a nationwide strike by university lecturers brought learning activities in all public universities to a standstill. The strike, orchestrated by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), is a direct response to the delayed finalization of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the unions and the government. The disruption highlights ongoing tensions over issues of pay, statutory deductions, and healthcare coverage.
The strike was officially launched at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), where union leaders voiced their frustrations. UASU Chapter Secretary Bonface Isalambo and KUSU Branch Secretary Galfen Omuse articulated the unions’ grievances, emphasizing that these issues have persisted despite numerous meetings and legal proceedings. “We are talking about the national CBA 2021-2025. It has taken close to three years,” Isalambo said. “This matter has been in court and we have had close to ten conciliatory meetings without any success. It has been a very tedious process.”
In Narok County, staff members from Maasai Mara University demonstrated their support for the national strike, highlighting the inequities in lecturer pay compared to their significant role in shaping future professionals. Omuse criticized the lack of governmental response to their demands, stating, “We nurture these children after they finish primary and secondary schools and make them ready for the labour market, but where is the appreciation?”
The strike’s impact was evident across various universities. At Pwani University in Kilifi County, lecturers, led by KUSU Secretary General Wycliffe Otieno, joined the strike, demanding salary increases, promotions, and relief from high taxation. Otieno criticized the failure of national-level negotiations, which prompted the staff to down tools. Demonstrations at Pwani University included a march to the administration block, urging the government to address their demands.
Dedan Kimathi University in Nyeri County also faced disruptions as lecturers stayed away from work. The staff criticized the new student funding model, which they argue undermines their compensation by linking it to students’ fees. They also expressed discontent over the delay in implementing their locally signed CBA from 2017.
At Chuka University, KUSU and UASU members have been vocal about their dissatisfaction. KUSU Chuka University Chapter Secretary General Daniel Wandera emphasized the need for the implementation of a comprehensive medical scheme and fair compensation. “The 7-day ultimatum we gave the government has lapsed, yet the 2021-2025 CBA on salary increment has not been honored,” Wandera said. “University staff need to be paid fairly, just like other government employees. We will only return to work once the commitments are fulfilled.”
The unions’ grievances extend beyond pay issues to include non-remittance of statutory deductions and inadequate health coverage. These concerns have fueled the strike, disrupting not only educational activities but also the lives of students who are caught in the crossfire.
The 2021-2025 CBA, proposed on September 4, 2020, promised a 7-10% salary increase but has yet to be fully implemented. The unions had previously issued a seven-day ultimatum on September 11, demanding that the government address these issues or face industrial action. The ongoing strike reflects broader frustrations within the academic community and a growing impatience with the slow pace of governmental responses.
The strike’s repercussions are likely to be felt for some time, with university staff standing firm in their demands for fair compensation and improved working conditions. The government faces mounting pressure to resolve these disputes and prevent further disruptions to higher education in Kenya. Until then, students and staff alike will endure the fallout of this industrial action, which underscores the critical need for effective and timely negotiations between the academic unions and the state.
