Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary General Constantine Wesonga confirmed that lecturers and other public university workers have rejected the latest government offer, calling it 'unacceptable' and insufficient to address their demands. The strike, initiated by UASU, the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), and the Kenya University and Deans Health and Education Workers’ Association (KUDHEHIA), began on October 2, 2026, after unions claimed the proposal failed to bridge the gap between their initial demands and the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum’s (IPUCCF) recommendations. Wesonga emphasized that the unions would continue the strike until their concerns are resolved, stating, 'We will be on strike as long as it takes.'
The dispute centers on the 2025–2029 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), with staff unions seeking significant improvements in salaries, allowances, and working conditions. The IPUCCF, representing university employers, submitted its proposed terms to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) for approval, but unions argue the offer does not reflect their negotiated demands. UASU and its partners had previously outlined specific financial and operational requirements to avert industrial action, which they claim were not adequately addressed in the government’s proposal. The rejection underscores deepening tensions over resource allocation and labor rights in Kenya’s public higher education sector.
The strike has disrupted operations at public universities, with lecturers and support staff withholding services until their demands are met. The IPUCCF, which includes representatives from the Kenya Education Management Services and the Kenya Universities Council, has not yet issued a public response to the unions’ rejection. However, the SRC, which oversees salary determinations for public sector employees, is expected to mediate the conflict. Unions have warned that prolonged industrial action could jeopardize academic calendars and student welfare, while the government faces pressure to resolve the standoff amid growing public scrutiny of public sector pay disputes.
The broader implications of the dispute highlight systemic challenges in Kenya’s public sector labor relations, where demands for fair compensation often clash with fiscal constraints. With the strike entering its second week, both sides face mounting pressure to negotiate a resolution. UASU’s Wesonga reiterated the union’s stance, stating, 'Our priority is to secure equitable terms that reflect the value of academic and administrative work in our institutions.' The outcome of these negotiations will likely set a precedent for future labor disputes in the country’s public universities.