Kenya’s university lecturers’ strike continues to disrupt learning in public universities following the failure of a second round of talks between university staff representatives and the government to produce an agreement. The prolonged dispute has raised fresh concerns about the future of higher education, students’ academic calendars, university examinations, and the implementation of agreements intended to improve lecturers’ working conditions.

The failure to reach a breakthrough highlights the difficulties facing both parties as they attempt to resolve disagreements over lecturers’ pay, outstanding financial commitments, and the terms of their employment. With negotiations yet to deliver a solution, lecturers remain under pressure to sustain their demands, while students and parents continue to bear the consequences of the industrial action.The nationwide strike began on October 2, 2026, after negotiations over the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) failed to produce an agreement acceptable to the university workers’ unions. The industrial action involves the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA). The unions represent academic and non-academic employees in public universities.

The latest breakdown in negotiations has intensified the dispute, with union officials insisting that university employees cannot return to work without a satisfactory agreement. The government, meanwhile, has been trying to secure funding for an improved proposal, but disagreements over the amount required and the implementation of the new CBA remain unresolved.The strike has affected universities across the country, leaving thousands of students uncertain about when normal learning activities will resume. Academic programmes, lectures, research activities, examinations and other university operations face disruption as the dispute continues.

The disagreement is not simply about an annual salary increment. It also concerns the government's financial commitments, the implementation of previous agreements, staff welfare, promotions, allowances and the resources required to support university employees over the next four years.The latest major setback came on Monday, October 26, when negotiations between the government and the workers’ unions failed to produce a breakthrough. According to reports , the government presented a verbal counter-offer of approximately KSh11.96 billion for the 2025–2029 CBA.

Union representatives rejected the proposal, arguing that it was inadequate and that the process had not properly involved them in negotiations over the revised figure. They also questioned why the government appeared to be offering a lower amount than the approximately KSh12 billion discussed during an earlier round of talks.

The unions had already rejected the government's earlier proposal of approximately KSh9.76 billion. They maintain that the proposed allocation does not adequately reflect the financial requirements of the four-year agreement.Why the Lecturers Rejected the Government’s Proposal

One of the main issues behind the strike is the amount of money required to implement the 2025–2029 CBA. The government initially proposed approximately KSh9.76 billion, but the unions argued that the amount was insufficient to meet their demands over the four-year period.

UASU Secretary-General Dr Constantine Wasonga has maintained that the new agreement contains additional requirements that cannot be addressed adequately through the proposed allocation. The unions have also questioned why a four-year agreement should receive a budget comparable to the amount used to implement an earlier agreement over a shorter period.

The workers are seeking a comprehensive agreement that addresses salary adjustments, staff promotions, allowances, recruitment and other employment-related benefits.Outstanding Salary Arrears and Funding Concerns

Another major issue is the payment of outstanding salary arrears from previous collective bargaining agreements.

In their petition to Parliament, the unions called for the government to address approximately KSh7.9 billion in outstanding arrears linked to earlier agreements, including the 2017–2021 CBA. They argue that unresolved financial commitments have contributed to mistrust between university workers and the government.

The unions have also raised concerns about the source of funding for university staff salaries. They want the National Treasury and the Ministry of Education to provide written guarantees that the necessary funds will be provided through the national exchequer.The continued strike has placed students at the centre of the dispute. Thousands of learners in public universities have experienced interruptions to lectures and other academic activities, with some facing uncertainty over examinations, graduation dates and the completion of their courses.

Students who depend on university facilities for learning, research and practical training may struggle to maintain their academic progress during the shutdown.

The disruption is particularly concerning for students in their final years, who may need to complete examinations, research projects, industrial attachments or other academic requirements before graduating.Parliament Asked to Intervene

With negotiations repeatedly failing, the lecturers' unions have turned to Parliament to help resolve the impasse.

UASU, KUSU and KUDHEIHA petitioned the National Assembly, asking lawmakers to compel the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury to table an adequate counter-offer backed by a written funding commitment.

The National Assembly's committees on Education and Labour were expected to help bring the two sides together and facilitate a solution to the dispute.Government Promises More Negotiations

The Ministry of Education has maintained that it remains committed to dialogue with the lecturers and other university workers.

On October 22, 2026, Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research Beatrice Inyangala told the National Assembly's Public Accounts Committee that the government was engaging unions and other stakeholders to resolve the dispute.

She indicated that discussions were continuing and that some issues raised by university workers were also being addressed through separate engagements with the Public Service Commission. However, the ministry had not announced a definite date for concluding all negotiations. What Happens Next?

The immediate priority is for the government and the workers' unions to return to negotiations with proposals that can bridge the financial gap.

Following the October 26 meeting, Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime indicated that the government would put its counter-offer in writing and that the parties would meet again on Wednesday to continue negotiations. This offered a possible route towards renewed engagement, although no final agreement had been reached at the time of reporting.

The next meeting will be important because the unions want to understand the government's actual financial commitment and how the proposed funds would be used to meet the CBA's obligations.