University Staff Union Threatens Strike Over Delayed Collective Bargaining Talks

Nairobi, Kenya – August 1, 2025

The Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) has issued a strong warning to the government over its failure to conclude negotiations on the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), saying the delay risks disrupting university operations and paralysing student admissions in the coming academic cycle.

KUSU Secretary-General Dr. Charles Mukhwaya said on Thursday that while the union has remained patient and open to dialogue, the government’s prolonged silence has left public university workers demoralized, underpaid, and vulnerable to inflationary pressures.

“We view a strike as a last resort, but the government’s inertia is pushing us toward that path. We cannot continue working under outdated terms while new intakes are being planned,” said Dr. Mukhwaya at a press briefing in Nairobi.

Negotiations at a Standstill

The union, which represents non-teaching and teaching staff in public universities, says the 2021–2025 CBA is nearing expiry without a formal framework for the next cycle. Talks with the Ministry of Education, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), and the Treasury have reportedly stalled, despite repeated letters and follow-ups.

KUSU officials say they submitted their draft proposal for the new agreement in late 2024, outlining key demands, including:

• Salary adjustments in line with inflation

• Enhanced medical coverage

• Improved terms for technical, library, and laboratory staff

• Harmonization of benefits across all public institutions

However, with the new university admissions calendar set to begin in September, the union has warned that failure to act could have nationwide implications.

Impact on Admissions and Learning

KUSU cautioned that any industrial action—if authorized—would likely affect university admissions, orientation programs, and academic timetables, particularly for first-year students under the new university funding model.

“It is paradoxical that the government wants a smooth rollout of student placements while refusing to invest in the people who run these institutions,” Dr. Mukhwaya said.

KUSU is expected to convene a national delegates meeting next week to determine whether to issue a formal strike notice under Section 76 of the Labour Relations Act. If no progress is made before mid-August, a strike could begin before the start of the next semester.

Ministry Responds with Caution

When reached for comment, a senior Ministry of Education official who declined to be named confirmed that discussions were ongoing but attributed the delays to budgetary constraints and pending alignment with the upcoming Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

“We acknowledge the delay and are working with SRC and Treasury to find a sustainable settlement,” the official said, adding that the Ministry would engage unions in the coming days.

This is not the first time university unions have threatened action over delays in implementing CBAs. In 2017 and 2021, industrial action led to widespread closures and disrupted academic calendars nationwide.

With thousands of new students expected to join public universities in just a few weeks, observers warn that a strike could severely undermine efforts to stabilize higher education reforms.