UASU Launches Nationwide Strike in Public Universities
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has officially commenced a nationwide strike across all public universities in Kenya, effective today.
⚠️ Why the Strike is Necessary
The decision to strike follows the exhaustion of all avenues for meaningful negotiations regarding the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) .
Despite a Return-to-Work Formula signed on 5th November 2025—where UASU and the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) committed to concluding the CBA by the end of 2025—the government has failed to honor this commitment.
💰 The Funding Dispute
The Union cites the government's failure to table a meaningful financial counter-proposal. Key issues include:
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Inadequate Offers: A counter-proposal presented yesterday (1st Oct 2026) was woefully inadequate, with some items below current applicable rates.
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Unfair Treatment: While CBAs for other public education sectors were implemented last year, public university staff have been "abandoned."
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Funding Model Concerns: UASU rejects proposals to fund the CBA through the Student-Centred University Funding Model (SCFM), noting that over KSh 100 billion is already owed to public universities under this model.
🛑 UASU Demands
The strike will continue until the following are achieved:
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✅ Sign & Implement: The 2025-2029 CBA is negotiated, signed, registered, and implemented.
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🏛️ Exchequer Funding: The Ministry of Education and National Treasury must commit that the CBA and salaries will be funded from the National Exchequer—not student fees.
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📜 HR Instruments: The PSC Generic Human Resource Instruments for Public Universities must incorporate previously agreed clauses.
🗣️ "Academic Staff are Public Officers"
UASU strongly rejects any attempt to shift the burden of staff salaries to student fees or market borrowing. The Union emphasizes that academic staff are public officers whose remuneration must be secured by the Consolidated Fund, as defined by the Constitution.
"What happens to academic staff salaries when students are unable to pay fees, when student numbers decline, or when funds are not remitted?"
📢 Call to Action
UASU calls upon the Government to urgently intervene, conclude the CBA, and restore normal operations in public universities.
Solidarity Forever.
📞 For further details contact:
Dr. Constantine Wasonga
Secretary General, UASU
📍 Uniafric House, 3rd Floor Rm 301
#UASUStrike #KenyaEducation #PublicUniversities #CBA2025 #EducationLiberates
