University staff unions have vowed not to resume work until their demands are met, as their strike enters its third week.
Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, union leaders accused the government and university councils of dragging their feet on Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) that have remained unimplemented for years.
University Academic Staff Union (UASU) National Chairperson Grace Nyongesa said the dons are demanding full implementation of the 2021–2025 CBA and immediate commencement of talks for the 2025–2029 CBA.
“We shall remain outside until the issues raised are addressed. There are no negotiations currently underway,” she said.
“We do not want the trend of negotiating CBAs at the end of the cycle. The 2021–2025 CBA must be implemented in full, and the 2025–2029 CBA then negotiated immediately. We are tired of pursuing our money years later and losing value. If this is not fully implemented, the strike will continue.”
Lecturers are demanding settlement of Sh7.9 billion in outstanding arrears from the 2017–2021 CBA and fresh negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA. They insist that the promises in the current CBA cycle are unmet despite the government's claims to the contrary.
Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) Secretary-General Charles Mukhwaya accused vice chancellors and university councils of misleading the public about the dispute.
“In 2025, the Attorney General issued an advisory, and the court ordered payment of our CBAs. Vice Chancellors and Councils are lying to the public and running away from facts. The court has directed that we be paid. Whatever they are saying now, the court has refused. We cannot negotiate a court judgment. Let them pay,” he said. “
He warned that failure to comply amounted to contempt of court and urged members to stand firm despite what he termed threats from university management.
“Failure to do so means they are in contempt of court. We urge our members to soldier on and not fear the threats from VCs,” he added.
The ongoing standoff has paralyzed learning in public universities, with some students now threatening to join their lecturers in the strike if the dispute is not resolved.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba had warned striking lecturers that they risk disciplinary action, saying they were in contempt of a court order requiring them to return to work.
He stressed that the government had already released Sh2.5 billion for the implementation of Phase 2 of the 2021–2025 CBA to address the dons’ grievances.
Despite the release, the lecturers insist that the government has yet to clear pending arrears, which remain at the heart of the strike.