University lecturers have officially called off their 49-day strike after reaching a breakthrough agreement with the government to clear Ksh7.9 billion in salary arrears owed under the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) announced the end of the industrial action on Wednesday, marking a major relief for students and university operations that had been paralysed since early September.
According to UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga, the government agreed to settle the pending dues in two phases the first between November and December 2025, and the second in July 2026.
Speaking after signing the agreement at Jogoo House alongside Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, Wasonga said the union’s decision followed the government’s written commitment to honour the deal.
“I want to apologise to comrades for the days they have lost. Our members have committed to recover all the lost learning time,” Wasonga said.
He added that the lecturers were ready to resume duties immediately and ensure academic calendars are adjusted to cover missed lessons.
Wasonga, however, cautioned that if the government fails to fulfil its end of the agreement, UASU would not hesitate to call for another strike.
“It is upon the government to honour what we have signed here today. If you do, there will be no strike called by UASU up to 2030,” he warned.
The signing brings to an end weeks of heated exchanges between UASU and government officials, which had threatened to derail the academic year in public universities.
The deal also sets the stage for negotiations on the 2025–2029 CBA, expected to be finalised within the next 30 days.
The breakthrough followed a mediation effort by the National Assembly Committee on Education, which urged both sides to compromise in the interest of students and the education sector.
UASU said the strike, though regrettable, had pushed the government to act on long-standing financial commitments and reaffirmed the importance of dialogue in resolving labour disputes within the higher education sector.
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