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Kenya’s public university system has been brought to a standstill since October 29, 2024, as lecturers and staff continue a nationwide strike over unmet demands. Spearheaded by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), the strike has disrupted learning for thousands of students while raising serious concerns about the future of higher education in the country.
The strike revolves around a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) signed between UASU and the government in September 2024. The agreement promised a 7-10% salary increment, an automatic annual adjustment of 4%, and backdated payments for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. However, lecturers argue that the government has failed to honor these commitments, offering instead an inadequate 4.3 billion shilling package, far below the agreed 9.7 billion.
Additionally, the lecturers and staff are protesting delayed salaries, irregular statutory deductions, and the lack of a comprehensive medical insurance scheme. UASU Secretary-General Dr. Constantine Wasonga has called for the government to not only meet their financial obligations but also provide a clear path to addressing long-standing issues in the sector.
The strike’s effects on students are profound. Without lectures, exams, or administrative support, learning has ground to a halt. Final-year students are especially anxious, fearing delays in graduation and the subsequent impact on their careers. One student voiced their frustration, saying, “We’re paying tuition for a semester that isn’t happening. It feels like we’re being punished for something beyond our control.”
The psychological toll Is also significant, with many students expressing feelings of helplessness and demotivation. Some have returned home, unsure when learning will resume.
For university staff, the strike is about more than salaries; it’s about respect and fairness. Lecturers have highlighted the financial strain caused by delayed payments and unfulfilled agreements. “We want the government to implement the same terms it offers to other civil servants. We’re not asking for special treatment—just what was promised,” Dr. Wasonga emphasized.
Some lecturers shared personal struggles, revealing they’ve had to take up additional jobs to support their families due to irregular pay. Many view the strike as their only option, though they acknowledge its impact on students and the education system.
The government’s attempts to resolve the crisis have largely failed. Negotiations mediated by the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) have been rejected by UASU, with union leaders insisting that partial payments are unacceptable. Parliamentary committees have intervened but have yet to produce results.
Meanwhile, tension escalated when striking staff faced police brutality while delivering petitions to the Parliament and Ministry of Education. The use of teargas to disperse peaceful demonstrations has drawn criticism, further hardening the union’s resolve.
The strike’s effects extend beyond campuses. Economic activities around universities, from hostels to small businesses, have slowed significantly. Vendors who depend on student traffic are struggling, highlighting the strike’s ripple effects on local communities.
The prolonged disruption also threatens the country’s reputation for academic excellence. Stakeholders worry that continued unrest could lead to a brain drain, with both students and staff seeking opportunities abroad.
With no end in sight, the strike poses a challenge for all parties involved. Students and parents are calling for urgent dialogue, while unions demand that the government fulfill its obligations in full. As the stalemate drags on, the question remains: how much longer can Kenya’s public universities endure this crisis?
Observers argue that a long-term solution requires not only meeting immediate demands but also addressing systemic issues like underfunding and poor management in public universities. Without a comprehensive plan, such strikes are likely to recur.
For now, students, lecturers, and staff remain caught in the middle, with their futures uncertain. Will compromise prevail, or is this only the beginning of a deeper crisis in Kenyan higher education?
