Lecturers Confirm September Strike Over Delayed CBA Implementation

Lecturers Confirm September Strike Over Delayed CBA Implementation

Lecturers in Kenya’s public universities are preparing to strike in September if the government fails to implement the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has warned.

The planned industrial action could disrupt learning in public universities as institutions prepare for the new academic semester.

UASU officials say the latest CBA was expected to be signed in November 2025 but has yet to be fully implemented.

The union’s position comes despite the government’s release of Ksh6.8 billion to public universities to settle salary arrears linked to previous collective agreements.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed that the money had been released to universities on Thursday, August 13.

Speaking at the State Lodge in Bungoma on Friday, August 14, Ogamba said the payment was intended to address outstanding obligations under the 2017-2021 and 2021-2025 CBAs.

“I am happy to report that out of the arrears that existed between the financial years of 2017-2021 and 2021-2025, a total of Ksh6.8 billion has been released to the university as of yesterday.”

UASU Maintains September Strike Plan

Despite the release of the funds, UASU says the payment of old arrears does not resolve the outstanding issues surrounding the new 2025-2029 CBA.

The union wants the government to implement the current agreement before calling off the planned strike.

UASU officials have also demanded that CBA arrears be paid separately from regular salaries to make it easier for lecturers to verify the payments.

The new agreement is expected to address remuneration, allowances, medical insurance and working conditions for academic staff.

UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga said lecturers are also seeking uniformity in allowances across public universities.

“We want salaries commensurate with our qualifications. We want harmonisation of allowances in public universities. There is no way a lecturer in one university should be getting a commuter allowance of Ksh50,000 while another one is being paid Ksh12,000 and others don’t even receive anything.”

The union argues that differences in allowances have created disparities among lecturers working in different institutions.

Lecturers Raise Concerns Over Large Classes

UASU has also raised concerns over increasing student numbers and the workload placed on university lecturers.

The union says lecturers are required to teach large classes while also preparing continuous assessment tests, marking examinations and handling other academic responsibilities.

UASU Secretary General Rongo Lucy Nyakeyo said the workload has become increasingly difficult to manage.

“As the number of students is increasing, even for dons, it is becoming a burden to handle the big classes, give a minimum of two CATs, and mark examinations.”

She said the union wants lecturers to return to teaching three courses, as provided for under the CBA and existing legal requirements.

“It is our desire that our members go back to handling three courses, as stipulated in our CBA and by law.”

Universities Face Possible Disruption

The planned September strike comes as public universities prepare to reopen for the next academic period.

If the dispute is not resolved, students could face disruptions to lectures, examinations, marking and other academic activities.

The government has already taken steps to address previous salary arrears, but UASU maintains that the implementation of the new CBA remains a separate issue.

The union’s demands include improved pay, harmonised allowances, better medical cover and manageable workloads.

With September approaching, negotiations between the government and university lecturers will be closely watched as both sides seek to prevent another disruption to learning in Kenya’s public universities.

For now, UASU has maintained that the September strike will proceed unless the outstanding issues under the 2025-2029 CBA are addressed.