UASU has announced a salary agreement ending the public university lecturers’ strike.
UASU directs public university lecturers to resume duties on November 2 after securing salary increases, arrears payments and protection against disciplinary action.
The lecturers’ strike in public universities has ended after UASU signed a Ksh20 billion salary agreement with the government. The union expects members to resume teaching, research and other academic duties on Monday, November 2, 2026.
UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga confirmed the agreement on Friday, October 30. The union and the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum signed a return-to-work formula after negotiations under an inter-ministerial committee.
The talks also involved the Kenya Universities Staff Union and KUDHEIHA, alongside representatives from the Education and Labour ministries.
Salary deal ends lecturers’ strike
The agreement allocates Ksh20 billion to fund the 2025–2029 collective bargaining agreements. The government will release the money in three instalments across successive financial years.
It will provide Ksh6.7 billion in 2026/2027 and another Ksh6.7 billion in 2027/2028. A final Ksh6.6 billion instalment will follow in 2028/2029.
Under the deal, lecturers will receive a 3.5 per cent annual increase in monthly basic salaries for four years. The increases take effect from July 1, 2025.
In addition, the agreement provides an automatic annual salary increment of five per cent. It also improves and harmonises commuter, leave, and passage and baggage allowances for most academic staff.
Salary and allowance arrears for July 2025 to June 2026 will fall due in three instalments. Meanwhile, January 2027 salaries will include payments covering July to December 2026.
Protection for staff returning to work
The return-to-work formula also protects university employees against disciplinary action over their participation in the strike. Universities must withdraw all disciplinary proceedings initiated during the industrial action.
UASU said the agreement bars universities from victimising academic staff or union officials for taking part. Similarly, participation will not affect contract renewals for employees serving on contractual terms.
The strike began on October 2, disrupting teaching, learning and research across public universities. As a result, thousands of students could not continue their academic programmes.
The dispute centred on funding and implementation of the new collective bargaining agreement. Before the settlement, unions had rejected government proposals worth approximately Ksh12 billion.
The prolonged disruption also triggered student protests. University of Nairobi students demonstrated over the suspension of academic activities, disrupting traffic along Waiyaki Way.
Following the settlement, UASU thanked students for their patience during the disruption and urged them to resume their studies immediately.
