University lecturers and non-teaching staff have called off their 49-day nationwide strike after signing a return-to-work formula with the government on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The agreement brings an end to a protracted industrial action that had disrupted learning for thousands of students across Kenya's public universities since it began on September 17, 2025.

The deal, announced by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals & Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), centres on the government's commitment to release Sh7.9 billion in arrears. This amount stems from the contentious 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Speaking at Jogoo House in Nairobi, UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga confirmed that the payment will be made in two instalments. The first tranche of Sh3.8 billion is scheduled for disbursement between November and December 2025, with the remaining balance to be settled by July 2026. "We have agreed to be paid in two instalments... We are happy that we have secured the whole amount," Wasonga stated on Wednesday.

Terms of Agreement

A critical component of the signed accord is the commitment to begin and conclude negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA within 30 days. This was a key demand from the unions, who had accused the government of delays. The return-to-work formula also provides crucial protections for the striking staff. It guarantees that no employee will be victimised for participating in the industrial action. All disciplinary actions, including show-cause letters and suspensions initiated during the strike, are to be withdrawn unconditionally. Furthermore, withheld salaries for September and October 2025 are to be released by Monday, November 10.

Impact on Higher Education

The 49-day strike had a severe impact on the higher education sector, paralysing academic activities in all public universities. Several institutions, including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and Egerton University, had been forced to suspend operations and close their campuses indefinitely, sending students home. The resolution comes as a major relief to students, some of whom were preparing for final exams, as well as parents who had paid fees. Dr. Wasonga apologised to students for the lost time and assured them that lecturers were committed to recovering the academic calendar, which may involve extending the current semester.

A Cycle of Industrial Action

This strike is the latest in a history of industrial disputes that have plagued Kenya's public university system, often stemming from the non-implementation of CBAs and broader funding challenges. The underlying issue remains the persistent underfunding of higher education. As of March 2025, reports indicated that 23 universities were facing the risk of insolvency due to a significant funding gap. Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala had warned earlier in the year that universities could shut down without urgent additional funding. The government has acknowledged its fiscal constraints, with Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi previously stating that the exchequer was unable to pay the Sh7.9 billion in a lump sum. While this agreement provides a temporary solution, the long-term financial health of public universities remains a critical issue requiring a sustainable policy framework to prevent the recurrence of such disruptive strikes.