Murang’a University of Technology has suspended learning and operations following a strike by staff affiliated with the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), and Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA). The strike, initiated on Friday, demands the conclusion and implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which remains unresolved despite negotiations with the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF).
The industrial action is part of a broader nationwide movement by public university workers, who accuse the government of delaying the CBA’s registration and implementation. Unions issued a strike notice for October 2, 2026, citing stalled negotiations and insufficient funding for the agreement. UASU Murang’a Chapter Secretary Dr. Stephen Njenga stated that workers would not return to duty until their grievances are addressed, emphasizing that the CBA, initially expected to be finalized after a return-to-work formula signed in November 2025, remains pending.
Njenga criticized the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) for delays and urged the government to register and implement the CBA. He opposed proposals to fund staff salaries through student fees, arguing that public universities should rely on government support to avoid disadvantaging institutions with low enrollment. “Universities cannot depend entirely on fees to pay their workers,” he said, noting that students already face financial challenges.
The dispute also highlights broader concerns about public university funding. Njenga accused the Public Service Commission (PSC) of excluding university workers from shaping human resource instruments, calling for their input before adoption. He further criticized the PSC’s 2026 circular mandating a retirement age for lecturers, which unions argue undermines service conditions.
Dr. Tirus Maina, another union representative, questioned why unresolved issues persist months after the return-to-work agreement. “The government must honour its promises,” he said, stressing that universities, as public institutions, should be funded by the state, not student fees. KUSU Treasurer Kirigo Wangari echoed these concerns, warning that shifting salary responsibilities to student fees could jeopardize job security, particularly for financially strained institutions.
The strike follows failed negotiations, including the rejection of an IPUCCF counter-offer on September 30, 2026, which unions deemed inadequate. Key grievances include a proposed 4% annual salary increment, medical benefits, and staffing shortages. Over 500 workers across multiple cadres are affected, disrupting teaching, administration, and support services.
Unions have called on the government and university management to resume talks, insisting they will remain on strike until demands are met. The standoff underscores tensions over funding models and labor rights in Kenya’s higher education sector, with implications for students and institutional stability.
The dispute has intensified debates over the financial sustainability of public universities, as unions argue that underfunding has strained operations. With learning paralyzed and staff refusing to return, the crisis highlights the urgent need for resolution to prevent further disruptions.
Public universities, which serve as critical pillars of national development, face mounting pressure to balance fiscal constraints with workforce obligations. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for labor relations and funding policies across the sector.
The strike has drawn attention to the broader challenges facing Kenya’s education system, including the need for transparent negotiations and equitable resource allocation to ensure academic continuity and staff welfare.
The Kenya News Agency reported this story, which reflects the ongoing tensions between public university workers and authorities over unresolved labor and financial issues.