Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary General, Constantine Wasonga addressing lecturers at Maseno University in Kisumu where he launched the nationwide strike, September 17, 2025. /CHRIS MAHANDARA/KNA
Learning in all 39 public universities has ground to a halt after lecturers made good their threat to strike, accusing the government of failing to honour both past and current Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) secretary general Constantine Wasonga said dons will not return to class until three demands are met in full.
These are payment of Sh2.73 billion, settlement of Sh8.8 billion arrears from the 2017–2021 CBA, and negotiation, registration, and implementation of the 2025–2029 CBA.
“The reason we have launched this strike is because the government has failed to pay us Sh2.73 billion. The only thing I got yesterday was a letter. Dons do not eat letters,” Wasonga told a charged crowd of union members.
He spoke at Maseno University in Kisumu, where he officially launched the industrial action on Wednesday.
Wasonga reminded the government that in January 2021, Uasu won a court case compelling the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF), the Ministry of Education, and the National Treasury to fund full implementation of the 2017–2021 CBA.
“Last night I got a letter from SRC saying they were now going to meet. That is fine. They can meet while we are on the streets. But let us be clear — this strike will not end unless our three demands are fully met,” he declared.
Wasonga accused IPUCCF of bad faith, faulting it for convening negotiations in Machakos on September 11 without SRC salary review guidelines, which are a legal prerequisite.
“What a contradiction. A CBA cannot be negotiated without beacons from SRC. Or did you think you were going to give me tea or lunch there? First of all, get the beacons — and those beacons must be proper,” he said.
Rejecting government proposals of a two per cent salary increment and staggered allowances, the UASU boss insisted lecturers deserve the same treatment as teachers, who were awarded 16 to 32 per cent by SRC.
“Dons will not take two per cent. Dons will not take staggered implementation. If teachers got 16 to 32 per cent, that is the bare minimum for dons,” he maintained.
He also decried discrimination in state benefits, noting that while other public servants enjoy medical schemes, mortgages, and car loans, lecturers have been excluded for over a decade.
“We contribute the highest percentages to affordable housing, yet how many houses do we get? Zero. Teachers got 20 per cent. What is that if not discrimination? Meanwhile, lecturers don’t even have medical cover, mortgages, or car loans. For 10 years — nothing,” he lamented.
Wasonga further warned that exponential growth in student enrolment has not been matched with lecturer recruitment, undermining the quality of higher education.
“In some lecture halls, I have taught 1,200 students. Is that a class? Can we talk about quality university education in such conditions? Universities rely on part-timers who are not even paid, delaying graduation. The new CBA must fund recruitment and promotions,” he said.
He demanded regular promotions, arguing that while other public servants rise every three years, some lecturers stagnate in one job group for two decades.
He also called for car loans, mortgages, and proper teaching facilities.
“Our salaries are pegged on student fees, yet the government orders universities to admit students for free. So should lecturers sell chalk and papers to survive?” he posed.
In a stern warning, the UASU chief vowed the strike would not be called off until all demands were met.
“My mind is very clear. I will not call off this strike until the Sh2.73 billion is paid, the Sh8.8 billion arrears cleared, and the 2025–2029 CBA negotiated and implemented. Letters will not do. Wire the money,” he said.
The strike has thrown the academic calendar into uncertainty, disrupting lectures, examinations, and research across public universities. Students now face an indefinite shutdown unless the government and union reach a compromise.
