Kenya’s university staff unions have declared an all-out nationwide strike, accusing the government of reneging on binding agreements and failing to release billions in owed funds.
The announcement was made during a tense press briefing at the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) offices, attended by senior officials from across the sector’s three main unions — the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), the Kenya Association of University Staff (KASU), and the Kenya Association of Senior University Staff (KASY).
Among those present were:
Aav. Grace Nyongesa Natimal, Chairperson of KASU
Prof. Constantine Wasonga, National Secretary General of KASU
Dr. Charles Mukhwaya, Secretary General of KASU
Dr. Charles Maloba Wekesa, KASU Chapter Secretary at the University of Nairobi
“The Deadline is Here”
Kicking off the briefing, Dr. Maloba underscored that the strike notice had run its course and no meaningful response had been received from government:
“We are here to issue a strike notice for unions, and since we issued it, we have not received any positive move by the government to sort out the problem facing us. The agreement was negotiated, registered, and agreed upon by parties. All that was left is for the government’s honour.”
He stressed that the unions were no longer willing to entertain excuses or delays.
A Subsidiary Flashpoint: University of Nairobi
While the strike is national, Maloba drew sharp attention to what he called a subsidiary but urgent crisis at the University of Nairobi, where senior academic staff are being retired early — in violation of the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
“The Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi has been indecisive in ensuring that the CBA, signed and registered in court, is honored. This has caused unnecessary suffering to senior staff. Members are being retired contrary to the agreed terms, pushing them into penury.”
He explained that the agreement clearly stipulates retirement at age 74, yet this clause has been ignored. The Council of the University of Nairobi, despite being fully briefed, has allegedly failed to intervene.
Maloba emphasized:
“This subsidiary issue is attached to the same strike. We will not allow our members to carry any more workload while their rights are trampled upon. The University of Nairobi staff are extremely annoyed, and nothing will work until their rights are respected.”
The Broader Strike: Unions United
Dr. Constantine Wasonga, the National Secretary General of UASU, outlined the broader grievances fueling the nationwide strike.
He confirmed that the strike notice was formally issued on 10th September 2025, addressed to all University Council Chairs, and copied to:
The Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection
The Cabinet Secretary for Education
All Vice Chancellors of public universities
Principals of constituent colleges
The unions had given the government seven days to meet their demands. However, according to Wasonga, nothing meaningful has been delivered.
“Instead, we are being called to meetings where what we receive are mere promissory notes. I want to be very clear: dons do not eat statements of intention. Dons do not eat promissory notes. We cannot survive on promises that ‘we will do this’ or ‘we intend to do that.’”
The Demands: Sh2.73 Billion on the Table
The unions’ central demand is the immediate release of KSh 2.73 billion, money owed to academic staff.
“Last evening, I met our NEC and delegates. They told me categorically: before the 2.73 billion hits our members’ accounts, we cannot call off this strike. That is a firm instruction.”
Other grievances include:
Full implementation of the 2021–2025 CBA, including retirement terms.
Protection of academic staff from unfair labour practices, such as early retirement and unpaid workloads.
Government accountability for delayed payments and broken agreements.
Scale of Disruption Expected
At the University of Nairobi alone, the strike will impact nearly 2,500 academic staff, with ripple effects expected across all public universities and affiliated institutions.
Union leaders warned that without immediate action from the government, lectures, examinations, and other academic functions will grind to a halt nationwide.
“Nothing will work until all our members are respected. This time around, there will be no business as usual.”
What’s at Stake
This looming shutdown comes at a critical time for Kenya’s higher education sector, already grappling with financial strain, delayed capitation, and staff discontent. The unions argue that without urgent intervention, not only staff livelihoods but also students’ academic progress and the credibility of Kenya’s public universities will suffer.
As the strike begins, the standoff now rests squarely in the government’s hands — with billions in arrears, a signed CBA on the line, and the patience of Kenya’s dons stretched to breaking point.
📌 Union Leaders at the Forefront
Aav. Grace Nyongesa Natimal, Chairperson, KASU
Prof. Constantine Wasonga, National Secretary General, KASU
Dr. Charles Mukhwaya, Secretary General, KASU
Dr. Charles Maloba Wekesa, Chapter Secretary, KASU (University of Nairobi)