Nairobi, October 28, 2026 — The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has reached a verbal agreement with the government on a Sh20 billion package for the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), paving the way for an end to the four-week strike that has paralysed learning in public universities. Kenyans
UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga announced the breakthrough on Wednesday after negotiations involving union leaders, university heads, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, and other senior officials. Technical teams are expected to document the terms on Thursday, with formal signing scheduled for Friday, October 30. Kenyans
Wasonga said the Sh20 billion figure covers basic salaries and allowances and was negotiated rather than imposed. “We have a deal on the financials. Tomorrow our technical team is going to sit down to put what we have agreed on on pen and paper,” he told reporters. He urged lecturers to prepare to return to their institutions, adding that classes are scheduled to resume on Monday, November 2, 2026. Tuko
The industrial action began on October 2 after talks over the new four-year CBA collapsed. Lecturers from UASU, the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), and KUDHEIHA downed tools, disrupting academic activities across about 35 public universities and related institutions. The unions had rejected successive government offers of roughly Sh9.7 billion, Sh12 billion, and Sh11.96 billion, arguing the proposals were inadequate and, in one case, slightly lower than an earlier figure. Nation
The Sh20 billion package marks a substantial increase over those earlier counters, though it remains well below the unions’ initial higher demands. Some reports indicate the funds may be disbursed in phases, with further details on allocation and timing expected after Friday’s signing. Thedailywhistle
The strike has affected hundreds of thousands of students, delaying classes, examinations, and academic calendars while parents continued covering living and other costs. Wasonga has encouraged students to begin returning to campuses ahead of the Monday resumption. University administrators and the Ministry of Education have welcomed the development as a step toward restoring normal learning. Tuko
If the Friday signing proceeds as planned, the return-to-work formula is expected to formally call off the strike and set the framework for implementing the new CBA. Both sides will now focus on finalising the written agreement and ensuring smooth resumption of teaching.