The long-running standoff between university lecturers and the government has finally come to an end after nearly seven weeks of industrial action that had crippled learning in public universities across Kenya.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) officially called off its 49-day strike following successful negotiations with the Ministry of Education.
The lecturers had downed their tools demanding payment of KSh 7.9 billion in salary arrears as per their 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The government had earlier disputed the figure, insisting that verification was needed before any payments could be made.
After days of intense dialogue, both parties agreed on a framework that includes phased payment of the arrears, salary adjustments, and improved working conditions for university staff.
The Ministry of Education also pledged to review the funding model for higher learning institutions to ensure long-term financial stability.
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Normal academic activities are now set to resume immediately, with universities recalling students and revising academic calendars to recover lost time. Some institutions are considering weekend and evening classes to make up for the disruption caused by the strike.
The end of the strike brings relief to thousands of students who had been stranded midway through their studies. Many had expressed frustration over suspended lectures and postponed exams.
Government officials hailed the agreement as a milestone in fostering dialogue between the state and academia, assuring that future grievances will be addressed through structured negotiations rather than work stoppages.
UASU leadership, on its part, reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the government fulfills its pledges within the agreed timelines, marking a new chapter of cooperation in Kenya’s higher education sector.
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