Lecturers' union warns of renewed action over university funding deal

The Universities Academic Staff Union says the government must fully carry out its return-to-work deal and settle outstanding payments, or face another possible strike.

What happened

The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has warned the government against delaying the implementation of its Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) [2]. Its secretary general, Constantine Wesonga, made the warning before the Parliamentary Committees on Labour and Education on Wednesday, November 4 [2]. Another source spells his surname Wasonga and reports the warning before a joint sitting of the two committees [3].

The union suspended its nationwide strike to give negotiations a chance after the government committed Ksh20 billion [2]. According to [3], lecturers resumed duty earlier that week. The sources disagree on the strike's length: [2] says it lasted more than 20 days, while [3] describes it as month-long.

The agreement, signed on October 30, provides for the Ksh20 billion to be released in three instalments of Ksh6.7 billion, Ksh6.7 billion and Ksh6.6 billion during the 2026/2027, 2027/2028 and 2028/2029 financial years [2]. Lecturers are set to receive a 3.5 per cent annual increase in basic salaries for four years, effective July 1, 2025, along with an automatic annual salary increment of five per cent and improved allowances [2].

Why Kenyans are searching for it

The sources do not explain why the topic is drawing searches at this time. They report the union's warning that lecturers could return to the streets [3], but they do not describe a specific trigger for public interest. Source [1] appears in this brief only as a headline, so it adds little beyond the question of a possible return to the streets.

Key facts

• The union says the government must immediately and fully implement the CBA [2].
• The union says public universities cannot deliver quality teaching, research, innovation and community service while underfunded [2].
• The union rejects the idea that staff employment and CBA payments should depend on student numbers or fee payments [2].
• According to [3], approximately KSh100 billion in outstanding remittances has not been settled. Only [3] gives this figure.
• According to [3], the union argues that fee-financed salaries would contradict the Universities Act, 2012, which provides for funding through allocations approved by Parliament.
• The union wants clear legal and budgetary commitments that staff salaries and other employment obligations will be financed through the National Exchequer [3].

What to watch

Whether the government releases the Ksh20 billion in the agreed tranches and concludes the outstanding CBA items within the agreed timelines, as the union has demanded [2]. Also watch whether the government sets out a clear plan for the pending payments [3]. The sources do not give a date for any new strike.

Sources

1. [1] Why public universities lecturers might go back to the streets - Daily Nation
2. [2] UASU Issues New Demands Over Ksh20 Billion Deal After Nationwide Strike - Kenyans.co.ke
3. [3] KSh100bn pending payments: Lecturers threaten fresh strike - Tuko News

Compiled by the NairobiCity trend desk from the sources above.