Relief for University Students as Lecturers Return to Class After Nearly Month-Long Strike

UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wesonga speaking at a past presser

University lecturers have officially agreed to resume work after a meeting between the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF).

The two bodies signed a critical return-to-work formula, marking an end to the month-long strike that disrupted learning across 35 public universities and their constituent colleges.

The pact spells out the government's commitment to implement the 2021–2025 CBA which is valued at Ksh.9.7 billion.

The implementation of the promise will be staggered, ensuring Ksh.4.3 billion is disbursed over nine months until June 2025 and the remaining amount of Ksh.5.4 billion released in two equal installments of Ksh.2.7 billion each.

Following the agreement, the two sides have withdrawn all the cases in court over the strike, which has rocked higher education for months. 

File image of university lecturers during a past strike

Thousands of students had been left stranded by the strike which paralyzed the operations in public universities.

UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wesonga assured the stakeholders that something would be done to recover the lost academic time.

"We will extend teaching hours during the daily schedule and over weekends to recover time lost during the industrial strike," he said.

At the same time, stakeholders have stressed that timely implementation of CBA is critical in averting future disputes.

As learning resumes, universities and students are expected to adopt an accelerated recovery plan that will bring an end to the weeks of uncertainty with a fresh opportunity for the country's academic calendar.