Uasu agree to fresh talks with Moi University to end strike
Learning remains paralysed as lecturers push for implementation of their 25 demands
1mon agoBY MATHEWS NDANYIRift-valley
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has warned striking public university lecturers to end their industrial action immediately and comply with court orders suspending the strike.
The Employment and Labour Relations Court, in a
ruling delivered on September 18, temporarily halted the strike and directed
the parties to pursue reconciliation.
However, lecturers under the Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) and
the Kenya Universities Staff Union (Kusu) have vowed to continue with the
boycott until all their demands are met.
Speaking in Mombasa on September 23 during a
conference on the Status of Pre-Service Teacher
Training and Teacher Employment in Kenya, Ogamba maintained that the
government had already released Sh2.5 billion as part of the second phase of
the 2024–25 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
“We have done a lot in this sector, and we
agreed that all grievances can be discussed without going on strike and
affecting our learners,” Ogamba said.
He warned that failure to comply with the court’s directive could attract
disciplinary action.
The strike, declared on September 17, has
paralysed learning in all 39 public universities just weeks into the 2025–26
academic year.
Lectures, examinations, and research activities have been severely
disrupted, with students left in limbo.
The lecturers are demanding a cumulative
Sh11.53 billion in pay arrears dating back to 2017, including Sh2.73 billion in
unsettled dues and Sh8.8 billion arrears. They are also pushing for the
negotiation, registration, and implementation of a new 2025–29 CBA.
Uasu Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga has
remained firm, accusing the government of dragging its feet. Speaking at Maseno
University in Kisumu, he declared:
“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 2025–29 CBA negotiated and implemented. Letters will not do.
Wire the money.”
The standoff now threatens to throw the
academic calendar into deeper uncertainty, with fears that prolonged
disruptions could affect graduations and research timelines.
As the impasse persists, all eyes are on the
government, unions, and the courts to determine whether dialogue or enforcement
will end the stalemate.
