📢 UASU 2025-2029 CBA & Funding Submission to Parliament

📅 Date: 4th November 2026
🏛️ Venue: National Assembly, Nairobi

The Universities' Academic Staff Union (UASU), alongside KUSU and KUDHEIHA, has officially presented a joint submission to the National Assembly regarding Public Petition No. 29 of 2026. This submission addresses the critical issues surrounding the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and the urgent need for a sustainable funding framework for public universities.

Here is what every UASU TUM member needs to know:

🔴 THE CURRENT SITUATION

Following the signing of the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) on 30th October 2026, which ended the nationwide strike, the Unions have raised serious concerns regarding the Government's commitment to funding university staff.

Key Concerns Raised:

• 🏦 Funding Uncertainty: The National Treasury and Ministry of Education have failed to provide a written commitment that salary obligations will be funded via the National Exchequer.

• 🚫 The "SCFM" Threat: There are fears that the Government intends to fund staff salaries through the Student-Centred Funding Model (SCFM) rather than direct parliamentary appropriations. UASU maintains that student fees should not replace institutional funding.

• 💸 The KSh 100 Billion Gap: Public universities are owed over KSh 100 Billion in unremitted funds under the SCFM. The Ministry of Education has reportedly refused to acknowledge this debt because it was not directly appropriated by Parliament.

• 💼 Job Security: The Union is demanding that salaries, allowances, and pensions must be paid directly from the Consolidated Fund as per Article 260 of the Constitution.

✅ THE AGREED DEAL (RTWF)

While the strike was called off on 30th October 2026, the fight for full implementation continues. The Government has committed to:

1. 💰 KSh 20 Billion Package: To fund the CBA over three years (6.7B in 2026/27, 6.7B in 2027/28, and 6.6B in 2028/29).

2. 📈 Salary Adjustments: A 3.5% annual basic salary increase (retroactive from 1st July 2025) and a 5% automatic annual increment.

3. 🚗 Car Loan Scheme: Finalization of rules for staff participation in the Government Car Loan and Mortgage Scheme by 31st December 2026.

4. 🗓️ Timelines: Implementation of the agreement to be completed on or before 31st January 2027. Pending non-financial items to be concluded by 28th February 2027.

⚠️ THE LEGISLATIVE THREAT

UASU is urging Parliament to amend the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026. The current draft risks conflating student financing (loans/scholarships) with institutional financing (staff salaries). UASU demands that the Bill explicitly safeguards the remuneration of public university staff from the National Exchequer.

🗣️ WHAT UASU DEMANDS FROM PARLIAMENT

• Appropriate funds for the first tranche (KSh 6.7B) in the Supplementary Estimates No. 1 FY 2026/2027.

• Bind the Treasury to fund salaries through the National Exchequer, not student fees.

• Verify and settle the KSh 100 Billion debt owed to universities.

UASU TUM stands in solidarity with the National Secretariat. We will continue to monitor the implementation of the RTWF and the progress of the Tertiary Education Bill to ensure the rights of our members are protected.

Stay tuned for further updates on the implementation of the 2025-2029 CBA.
✊ UASU TUM | Defending Education, Protecting Workers