In a move that has brought relief to students and faculty across the country, the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) have officially called off their nationwide strike following a crucial meeting with the inter-ministerial committee. The resolution was announced on Thursday, September 26, marking the end of a weeks-long standoff that had crippled learning in public universities.
The breakthrough came after both unions and the government reached a consensus on a return-to-work formula, addressing key grievances that had fueled the industrial action. In their statement, UASU confirmed, “The Union shall immediately call off the industrial action upon the execution of this Agreement.” The government also agreed to withdraw the legal case it had filed, Employment and Labour Relations Cause Number E780 of 2024, which had sought to challenge the strike’s legality.
A New Dawn for Public Universities
With the strike now called off, public universities are poised to resume normal operations. Students, who had been left in academic limbo, can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Academic calendars, which had been disrupted by the industrial action, are expected to be adjusted as lecturers and university staff work with administrators to make up for the lost time.
“The employees represented by UASU in public universities and their constituent colleges shall collaborate with the employer to establish a viable plan for recovering any teaching and learning time lost due to the strike,” read part of the union’s statement. This commitment means students can expect intensive catch-up sessions and adjustments to ensure the academic year remains on course.
No Fear of Reprisals
One of the most contentious issues during the strike was the threat of victimization or disciplinary action against union members. In an encouraging show of goodwill, UASU confirmed that no lecturer or staff member would face reprisals for participating in the strike. “No member of UASU will face victimization or disciplinary action for participating in the industrial action,” the union stated, bringing comfort to thousands of employees who had feared retaliation.
This clause signals a fresh beginning, with both parties willing to put the past behind them and focus on rebuilding academic momentum.
Financial Breakthrough for Lecturers
Among the significant wins for lecturers is the agreement on salary adjustments, a core demand of the unions during the negotiations. UASU revealed that the government, through the inter-ministerial committee, had committed to an immediate pay rise for its members. Lecturers in Grades 13A, 14A, and 15A will receive a 7% salary increase, while those in Grades 10A, 11A, and 12A will benefit from a 10% raise.
The unions expressed satisfaction with the financial concessions, which they described as a “step in the right direction” after years of stagnation in academic staff salaries. This increment is expected to boost morale and reaffirm the commitment of university staff to their work, especially after the strain caused by the prolonged strike.
A United Front for Education
The resolution of the strike comes as a timely reminder of the importance of collaboration and dialogue between the government, university staff, and other stakeholders in education. As universities prepare to resume their academic schedules, students, lecturers, and staff are looking ahead with hope and anticipation of a more stable academic future.
For students, this moment is a beacon of hope, a chance to get back on track with their studies, and for faculty, it represents a validation of their efforts to improve working conditions and remuneration. As the dust settles, it is clear that education remains at the heart of Kenya’s growth and development, and the collective efforts of all involved will be crucial in ensuring that the learning process remains uninterrupted moving forward.
With the strike now behind them, universities are set to usher in a new chapter of cooperation and productivity. The countdown to resumed classes has begun, and the atmosphere on campuses is one of cautious optimism as both lecturers and students prepare to return to the classrooms.
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