Learning has been paralysed at the University of Nairobi (UoN) after lecturers downed tools, demanding the implementation of long-awaited collective bargaining agreements.
The strike began at around 10am on Wednesday, September 17 and was part of a planned nationwide strike issued by public university dons.
The UoN strike was led by members of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), and Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA).
The unions are having three demands including release of Ksh2.73 billion from Phase Two of the 2021-2025 CBA, Ksh7.9 billion outstanding from the 2017-2021 CBA, and negotiation and registration of the 2025-2029 CBA.
In the images and videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, the dons were seen marching as they waved banners and blew vuvuzelas.
The lecturers' strike followed an earlier warning issued on September 10, where the unions announced they would paralyse learning in all public institutions of higher learning if the government failed to address their grievances.
“Today we are issuing a seven-day strike notice over failure by the government to implement the 2021-2025 Phase 2 CBA arrears for the 2025-2026 Financial Year totaling Ksh2.73 billion," Wesonga said on September 10.
“We can not wait any longer. But do not be surprised because we are used to this game. There is no CBA in public universities that we have negotiated without going on strike. And since it is what they want, now we are taking the game to their doorstep,” he added.
While issuing the strike notice on September 16, UASU Secretary General, Constantine Wesonga, accused the government of ignoring agreements reached with lecturers.
He noted that the State had failed to fully implement both the 2021–2025 and 2025–2029 CBAs.
Wesonga added that the lecturers were frustrated by the government’s continued delay in honouring the CBAs worth billions, despite multiple meetings and formal submissions.
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology(DeKUT), University of Eldoret(UOE), and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) have also staged a peaceful demonstration, vowing to continue protesting despite the Treasury releasing Ksh2.5 billion to clear arrears.
The industrial action follows a strike that was witnessed in October 2024, over the delayed payment of salary arrears owed.
The strike led to prolonged disruptions in academic activities due to the lecturers’ demands for a ten per cent basic salary increment, a four per cent annual increase on their basic salary, better working conditions, and pay.
