The 49-day strike by university lecturers has officially been called off after the Ministry of Education, the National Treasury, and university unions reached an agreement to release Sh7.9 billion owed to staff under the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Migos Ogamba announced that the government had successfully concluded talks with the unions to resolve all outstanding issues that had paralyzed learning in public universities for more than six weeks.
Speaking during the signing of the return-to-work formula in Nairobi on Wednesday, Ogamba revealed that the prolonged industrial action, which began in September, stemmed from three major concerns including delayed implementation of the 2021–2025 CBA, delayed negotiation of the 2025–2029 CBA, and arrears from the 2017–2021 agreement.
He clarified that while the first two issues had been addressed, the main contention remained the outstanding Sh7.9 billion balance from the 2017–2021 CBA.
“The unions had argued that the amount was yet to be paid in full. However, after verification by technical teams from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the ministry, and the universities, we agreed that the verified balance stood at Sh7.76 billion,” Ogamba explained.
Additionally, the CS disclosed that after weeks of negotiations and parliamentary mediation, the government had committed to settle the amount in two installments: Sh3.85 billion by the end of December 2025 and another Sh3.85 billion in the 2026–2027 financial year.
“After extensive consultations and the intervention of the Education Committee of Parliament, we have all agreed that this matter must be concluded. The students currently in our universities were not even there when this dispute began, yet their studies have been disrupted,” stated Ogamba.
Further, he affirmed that the ministry had reached consensus with the universities to readjust their academic calendars to ensure that all lost learning time would be recovered without burdening students or parents.
Importantly, Ogamba added that a new inter-ministerial CBA implementation team would be established to monitor the rollout of future CBAs and prevent disputes from escalating into strikes.
“We are determined to avoid a situation where industrial action becomes part and parcel of academic life. Going forward, all parties will work together to ensure smooth implementation,” he assured.
The CS thanked the unions for their patience and goodwill, describing the resolution as a victory for dialogue and institutional harmony.
“It has been a long and serious effort. I would have wanted this matter resolved earlier, but what matters is that we have now found common ground and restored normalcy to our universities,” he remarked.
On his part, University Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary General (SG) Dr. Constantine Wasonga confirmed that the union had agreed to suspend the strike following firm commitments from the government to release the arrears.
“The strike is over. Today, UASU has received a commitment from the Ministry of Education, the National Treasury, and the university councils that Sh7.9 billion will be released in two tranches, Sh3.8 billion not later than December 31, 2025, and Sh3.8 billion in July 2026,” he restated.
Wasonga insisted that the union had made concessions in the interest of over 600,000 students affected by the strike and the need to safeguard the education sector’s stability.
“We did not get everything we wanted which was full and immediate payment but we have secured what matters most: a clear, time-bound commitment backed by Parliament and Treasury,” reported the SG.
Wasonga also expressed gratitude to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki for mediating the talks and brokering the final deal.
“We thank the Deputy President for offering us the 50-50 arrangement, and we appreciate Parliament’s Education Committee for bridging the gap between us and other stakeholders,” he said.
Equally, the SG also confirmed that the signed return-to-work formula included provisions to protect members from victimization.
“All disciplinary actions commenced during the strike shall be withdrawn, and contract renewals shall not be prejudiced by participation in the industrial action,” he reassured.
Wasonga urged members to resume duty immediately, assuring them that the union would hold the government accountable for implementing the deal.
“If the government honours what we have signed today, there will be no strike up to 2030. But if it fails to honour this agreement, we shall have no choice but to act,” he warned.
Meanwhile, Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) Secretary General (SG) Dr. Charles Mukhwaya echoed the sentiments, confirming that all 42 universities had been directed to resume normal operations.
“The strike that has taken 49 days is now officially over. We have agreed, guided by the Ministry and Parliament, to the two-phase payment plan of 50-50. It’s not everything we demanded, but it’s a fair deal that allows our institutions to return to normalcy,” he reiterated.
Likewise, Mukhwaya hailed the Deputy President, the Ministry of Education, the National Treasury, and the National Assembly for their joint effort in ending the stalemate, describing the outcome as a product of genuine social dialogue.
“We have engaged exhaustively under the tripartite framework and reached a solution that safeguards our members’ rights while restoring stability to the sector,” he pronounced.
Concurrently, the SG assured university staff that their jobs were secure and no one would face administrative sanctions for taking part in the strike.
He encouraged students to return to class, noting that universities had already developed recovery plans to compensate for lost time.
“To our members, I urge you to resume work with confidence. To our students, we feel for you, but all is well. Learning will resume smoothly, and the lost time will be recovered,” said Mukhwaya.
By Naif Rashid
