Learning in public universities is set to resume after nearly two months of disruption, following a deal that ended the lecturers’ nationwide strike.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu), Kenya Universities Staff Union (Kusu), the Ministry of Education, the National Treasury, and university councils reached consensus after protracted negotiations, bringing to an end the industrial action that had paralysed institutions and forced thousands of students to suspend studies.
The agreement, which was signed yesterday, outlines a payment plan for salary arrears amounting to Sh7.9 billion under the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
According to the deal, Sh3.88 billion will be released by December 31, 2025, while the remaining Sh3.88 billion will be paid by July 2026.
A separate framework for talks on the 2025–2029 CBA will also be finalised within a month, marking a step towards resolving long-standing pay disputes in the university sector.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi had earlier told Parliament that the government could not pay the entire amount immediately due to financial constraints.
He appealed to lecturers to accept the phased approach. Universities that did not fully utilise the Sh2.2 billion earlier allocated for arrears will now be required to add Sh182 million once funds are released.
Uasu Secretary-General Dr Constantine Wasonga said the union had agreed to the deal after weighing the interests of students and the stability of higher education.
“We are not leaving this industrial action with all that we wanted — which was immediate full implementation of payment of Sh7.9 billion. Yet, we consider the firm commitment by the National Treasury and Parliament; and balanced against the interests of students, and the survival of the higher education sector in this country; Uasu has made concessions and hereby calls off the strike,” he said.
The return-to-work formula guarantees that no lecturer or staff member will be punished for participating in the strike. Disciplinary cases will be withdrawn, and those whose contracts were terminated or not renewed during the period will be reinstated without conditions.
Salaries and benefits for September and October, as well as pay for the first week of November, will be settled by November 10.
Kusu Chairman Charles Mukhwaya described the breakthrough as a victory for both staff and students.
“Through mutual understanding and goodwill, the parties agree to enter into this return-to-work formula to restore normalcy in all public universities and constituent university colleges while addressing the issues raised by Kusu in good faith. This agreement is a step in the right direction. Our members’ concerns over salary arrears, contract security, and the pending 2025–2029 CBA have been addressed. We hope this restores confidence and stability in our universities so learning can continue without disruption,” said Mukhwaya.
The deal ensures that all employees will receive full pay and retain their entitlements for the strike period. It also provides that temporary staff hired to fill gaps during the industrial action will not affect the benefits of permanent employees.
The unions emphasised that the agreement protects their members’ rights while giving universities space to recover from the crisis.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the government is focused on reorganising academic calendars to ensure students make up for lost time.
He acknowledged that Sh2.73 billion under the 2021–2025 CBA had already been paid but noted that further discussions were needed to resolve pending arrears.
“It was time to put down the gun so that we can resolve this matter. The strike had disrupted learning and affected students for too long,” he said.
The resolution now paves the way for the reopening of campuses, resumption of classes, and renewed stability in Kenya’s public universities after a period of uncertainty.
