UASU CALLS OFF NATIONWIDE STRIKE FOLLOWING KSh 20 BILLION CBA FUNDING AGREEMENT
30 October 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has officially called off its nationwide industrial action following a breakthrough in negotiations with the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF), under the auspices of the Inter-Ministerial Committee.
In a press statement issued on Friday, 30 October 2026, UASU Secretary General, Dr. Constantine Wasonga, announced that the two parties had signed a Return to Work Formula (RTWF), bringing to an end the nationwide strike that commenced on 2 October 2026 and disrupted teaching, learning and research across public universities.
The agreement provides for KSh 20 billion in government funding towards the implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
KSh 20 Billion to Be Released in Three Tranches
According to the agreement, the KSh 20 billion will be released over three financial years as follows:
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KSh 6.7 billion in the 2026/2027 financial year.
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KSh 6.7 billion in the 2027/2028 financial year.
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KSh 6.6 billion in the 2028/2029 financial year.
The agreement further provides for an annual increase of 3.5% in monthly basic salaries for four years, effective 1 July 2025. In addition, the automatic annual salary increment has been set at 5%.
Harmonisation and Enhancement of Allowances
The agreement also provides for the harmonisation and enhancement of several allowances for the vast majority of academic staff in public universities. These include:
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Commuter allowance.
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Leave allowance.
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Passage and baggage allowance.
On salary and allowance arrears, the parties agreed that accrued arrears for the period 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 will be paid in three tranches.
Further, arrears covering the period 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2026 will be paid together with January 2027 salaries.
Protection of Members Against Victimisation
A key provision of the Return to Work Formula addresses the protection of academic staff who participated in the industrial action.
The agreement provides that all disciplinary actions initiated against employees during the strike shall be deemed withdrawn. It further guarantees that employees serving on contract will not have their participation in the industrial action used as a basis for prejudicing the renewal of their contracts.
UASU emphasised that the agreement safeguards members' employment and protects union officials and academic staff against victimisation arising from their participation in the industrial action.
Academic Activities to Resume on 2 November 2026
Following the signing of the Return to Work Formula, UASU has directed all its members to resume teaching, research and other academic duties on Monday, 2 November 2026.
The Union also thanked students for their patience and resilience during the industrial action and called upon them to resume their studies immediately.
UASU Acknowledges Members' Solidarity
In its statement, UASU acknowledged the unwavering solidarity, commitment, discipline and determination demonstrated by academic staff throughout the strike.
The Union noted that reaching the agreement required compromises, balancing the interests of students with the fundamental rights of academic staff to dignified working conditions, collective bargaining and pension security.
UASU also expressed appreciation to the Government, particularly the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury, for availing the funding required towards the 2025–2029 CBAs.
A New Chapter for Public University Academic Staff
The signing of the Return to Work Formula marks an important milestone in the ongoing efforts to secure improved remuneration, harmonised allowances and better working conditions for academic staff in public universities.
As academic activities resume, attention now turns to the implementation of the agreed commitments, particularly the timely release of the CBA funds, payment of outstanding arrears and full implementation of the negotiated provisions.
SOLIDARITY FOREVER!
Source: Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Press Release, 30 October 2026.
