Nairobi, Kenya—October 26, 2026 — The nationwide strike by public university staff will continue and intensify after the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and other unions rejected the government’s Sh11.9 billion offer for the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which equates to an estimated 3% basic salary increase. Nairobiwire
UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga described the counter-offer as “awfully inadequate” and “woefully inadequate,” saying the unions rejected it in total. He stated that the ongoing industrial action, which began on October 2, will be upscaled and escalated until the government tables a credible counter-offer, concludes and implements the 2025–2029 CBA, and provides a firm commitment that staff salaries will be funded through the National Exchequer. Uasutum
The strike involves UASU, the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), and KUDHEIHA, covering roughly 30,000 employees across public universities and constituent colleges. It has disrupted lectures, research, examinations, and other academic activities for more than three weeks, affecting hundreds of thousands of students. Radiogeneration
At the centre of the dispute is the four-year 2025–2029 CBA. UASU is seeking basic salary increases ranging from 36% to 68% depending on job grade, a 57% rise in house allowances, harmonised commuter allowances, and other improved benefits. Union leaders argue that the government’s package of around Sh9.7–12.5 billion (variously reported, including the Sh11.9 billion figure) fails to reflect inflation, the cost of living, or the scale of previous CBAs, which they say cost Sh16.5 billion (2017–2021) and Sh19.4 billion (2021–2025). Radiogeneration
Talks collapsed for a second time on October 12 after the government presented what the unions called essentially the same offer tabled earlier in the month. Previous Return-to-Work Formulas, including one signed on November 5, 2025, committed the parties to conclude the new CBA within set timelines, but those deadlines passed without agreement. The unions have also petitioned Parliament, seeking intervention to secure funding and force a resolution. Capitalfm
The Ministry of Labour has summoned union leaders and university councils to fresh conciliation talks today (Monday, October 26) at the NSSF Building in Nairobi, focusing on both financial and non-financial terms of the CBA. Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala has previously noted a large gap between the government’s position (around Sh9.7 billion) and the unions’ overall demands. Educationnews
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has maintained that arrears from earlier CBAs have been cleared and has called for an end to the strike. Union officials, however, insist staff will not return to work until the 2025–2029 agreement is negotiated, signed, registered, and implemented with actual payments rather than promissory notes.
As of Monday, learning remains halted in public universities, with the unions vowing to intensify their action until their core demands are addressed.