KENYA'S UNIVERSITIES RACE TO AVERT OCTOBER 2 LECTURERS' STRIKE
With an October 2 strike deadline looming, universities race to resolve stalled CBA talks as UASU and KUSU both issue notices, while the SRC flags concerns over allowances in the University of Nairobi's pay agreements.
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Public universities in Kenya are racing against time to avert a nationwide lecturers’ strike scheduled to begin on October 2, 2026, as negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement remain unresolved.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) issued a seven-day strike notice on September 24, saying its members would down their tools if outstanding issues surrounding the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) are not addressed.
The dispute centres on the delayed conclusion and implementation of the new CBA, with UASU demanding a clear financial commitment from the government.
The union has also raised concerns over the failure of the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury to honour a return-to-work formula signed in November 2025.
The union has also raised concerns over the failure of the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury to honour a return-to-work formula signed in November 2025.
With the strike deadline approaching, some universities have intensified consultations with staff unions and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
At the University of Nairobi, management has resumed discussions with the unions as it seeks to address outstanding remuneration provisions and obtain the necessary approvals to progress the CBA process.
At the University of Nairobi, management has resumed discussions with the unions as it seeks to address outstanding remuneration provisions and obtain the necessary approvals to progress the CBA process.
The SRC has raised concerns about several provisions in earlier remuneration agreements, including house-to-office allowance, leave allowance, book allowance, professorial allowance and medical-related benefits.
The commission has asked the university to either revise the agreements in line with its advice or demonstrate that the proposed benefits are affordable and sustainable.
The commission has asked the university to either revise the agreements in line with its advice or demonstrate that the proposed benefits are affordable and sustainable.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) has also issued a strike notice over the stalled 2025–2029 CBA, indicating that the dispute extends beyond academic staff represented by UASU.
If negotiations fail to produce an agreement before the deadline, teaching and other academic activities in public universities could face disruption. Universities and government officials therefore have only a short window to resolve the outstanding issues and prevent the planned industrial action.
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Written by Anne Moses
Reporter and staff writer at Getembe News.
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