University lecturers have issued a two-week strike notice, demanding the government implement the salary deal agreed upon last year.
The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has given the government a 15-day ultimatum, starting Wednesday, January 1, 2025, to fulfill the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
UASU Organising Secretary Onesmus Mutio emphasized that the government had pledged to implement new salaries by December, including arrears for October and November.
“We saw a circular from the PS directing universities to prepare to pay new salaries from December, but as we went into Christmas, lecturers went for the holidays without the new salaries as had been expected,” Mutio stated.
The union had called off a strike on November 23, 2024, after signing a return-to-work agreement with the Ministry of Education. The decision followed the government’s commitment to fully implement the Sh9.7 billion CBA.
Lecturers had previously gone on strike on September 18 after initial negotiations with the government collapsed. Academic activities in public universities resumed on November 25 following the agreement.
On Wednesday, Mutio expressed frustration with the government’s failure to honor its commitments.
“They have failed to keep their word twice. This time, we will not go back until we are paid everything,” he said.
“How can you promise Dons payment, only to go back to business as usual?”
The National Treasury had pledged to allocate the full amount in the 2024/2025 financial year under Supplementary Estimates II. Implementation was scheduled in three phases:
- The first phase, worth Sh4.3 billion, would cover nine months up to June 2025.
- The remaining balance is to be paid in two installments of Sh2.7 billion each.
UASU has now reiterated its resolve to strike if the government fails to act, warning of disruptions to academic programs in public universities.
