The four-week stalemate that paralyzed public universities across Kenya has finally come to an end after the government and university staff unions reached a historic Ksh20 billion verbal agreement. The breakthrough marks a significant victory for lecturers and staff, who have been out of lecture halls since October 2, demanding the implementation of the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
Secretary-General of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), Constantine Wesonga, announced the breakthrough on Thursday evening following marathon talks involving key government officials, including Education CS Julius Ogamba, Treasury CS John Mbadi, and Principal Secretary for Internal Security Raymond Omollo.
“We have a deal on the financials. Today we have agreed on a figure we have negotiated with the government, not a figure imposed on the unions,” Wesonga stated during a press briefing. He confirmed that the final agreement is scheduled to be signed on Friday, October 30, after a technical team reviews the distribution of the funds among staff members.
The resolution comes as a massive relief to thousands of students, who have faced weeks of academic uncertainty. Tensions had reached a boiling point this week, with University of Nairobi students taking to the streets to protest the prolonged industrial action. The demonstrations even saw protesters block the busy Waiyaki Way on two separate occasions, underscoring the growing frustration among the student body regarding the interrupted semester.
For weeks, the negotiations appeared headed for a total collapse. The government had previously remained adamant that it could not exceed a Ksh12 billion allocation, an offer the unions flatly rejected, arguing that it translated to a meager 3 per cent basic salary increase. An even lower counter-offer of Ksh11.96 billion presented earlier this week further inflamed tensions, leading the unions to demand a more substantial commitment. The eventual leap to the Ksh20 billion figure represents a major concession by the State, paving the way for a return to normalcy.
Addressing the staff and members of UASU, KUSU, and KUDHEIHA, Wesonga called for an immediate end to the strike. “To comrades, start walking towards your universities. I want to assure you that from Monday, November 2, you shall have your lessons,” he declared.
The deal effectively ends the labor dispute across 35 public institutions. As the technical teams finalize the paperwork this Friday, both students and administration officials are preparing for the resumption of academic activities, with the government hoping the substantial injection of funds will stabilize the university sector for the foreseeable future. For now, the focus shifts to the official signing ceremony, which will formally seal the agreement and allow university calendars to resume their course.
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