Court Suspends Public University Strike, Orders Fresh Talks

Nairobi, Kenya — 2025-09-19 15:00 EAT. The Employment and Labour Relations Court has halted a strike by lecturers and staff at public universities, directing unions and government officials to resume negotiations over unpaid arrears and collective bargaining agreements (CBAs)〔

The Latest

Justice Stephen Radido ruled that the industrial action, which disrupted learning at multiple campuses for two days, should be suspended pending conciliation between unions, the Ministry of Education, and the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum.

• Status: Court-ordered conciliation underway

• Affected institutions: University of Nairobi, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University, among others

Context in Brief

The Universities’ Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), and KUDHEIHA initiated the strike after issuing a seven-day notice demanding:

• Payment of salary arrears

• Full implementation of 2017–2029 CBAs worth billions of shillings

Union leaders accused the government of delayed payments and breach of agreements, staging protests across key campuses.

Law, Policy & Process

• Court: Employment and Labour Relations Court

• Judge: Justice Stephen Radido

• Legal Principle: Industrial action permissible only after conciliation efforts fail per Labour Relations Act provisions

• Order: Monitor compliance with conciliation and report progress to the court

Voices & Stakeholders

• Justice Stephen Radido:

  “Good-faith negotiation is a cornerstone of industrial relations,” he ruled, suspending the strike pending talks.

• Education CS Julius Migos Ogamba:

  “We welcome the court’s intervention and urge unions to resume teaching as negotiations continue”.

• Union leadership: Yet to respond; no official strike call-off issued.

Evidence & Data

• Striking unions: UASU, KUSU, KUDHEIHA

• CBAs affected: 2017–2029 period

• Campuses hit: At least 3 major public universities and several constituent colleges

Risks & Implications

• Academic calendar disruptions if talks fail

• Financial strain on universities if arrears remain unpaid

• Labour relations precedent for future CBA disputes

What We Don’t Know

• Will unions lift the strike immediately?

• How much money remains unpaid under the CBAs?

• Could Parliament intervene with supplementary funding?

Timeline

• 2025-09-12: Strike notice issued by unions

• 2025-09-18: Strike begins across public universities

• 2025-09-19: Court suspends strike, orders conciliation talks

What to Watch

• Union response to conciliation order

• Progress reports from the Ministry of Education

• Possible parliamentary debate on university funding gaps