Nairobi: The Africa and Arab Countries Education Sector Workers Network has expressed solidarity with members of the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), who are on strike, and called for dialogue to resolve the ongoing dispute in the higher education sector. Addressing the media in Nairobi, the network’s President for the Africa and Arab countries branch, Musa Okelo of Uganda, highlighted concerns over delays in implementing collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and the slow pace of new negotiations.
According to Kenya News Agency, Okelo emphasized that such delays could undermine morale among education workers and potentially disrupt the academic calendar for students. ‘These actions not only contravene ILO Conventions 87 and 98 but also disrupt academic calendars, demoralise staff, and affect the learning environment of students,’ stated Okelo.
Okelo also mentioned that similar issues have arisen in other African nations, including Nigeria, where non-teaching staff face salary disparities and delayed agreements. He urged governments to allocate sufficient resources to the education sector in line with international commitments such as Sustainable Development Goal 4.
Reading a communique on behalf of the delegates, Okelo reaffirmed Public Services International (PSI’s) global stance on the importance of respecting collective bargaining rights. ‘We, the undersigned PSI affiliates under the Education, Support and Cultural Workers Network, stand united in defence of public education and the dignity of all education workers across Africa,’ he declared.
Prince Peters Adeyemi, Vice President of the Africa and Arab Countries Education Sector Workers, also expressed support for the Kenyan staff, calling for leadership-level engagement to end the strike. He stressed that resolving the issue is crucial for safeguarding academic progress and maintaining stability in the university sector.
‘As we speak today, the Kenyan university staff are on strike, and campuses are deserted. I was proud when I saw President Ruto address the UN recently, but I was embarrassed to learn that back home, workers’ rights were being violated,’ voiced Adeyemi. He urged the government and university councils to expedite the implementation of signed agreements and commence fresh negotiations for the next cycle.
Adeyemi stated, ‘Our position in Public Services International is that this strike can be stopped today if there is goodwill. Kenyan university workers deserve the best, and their rights must be respected.’
The delegates acknowledged that education workers across Africa face similar challenges and pledged ongoing support through solidarity and advocacy. They noted that unresolved disputes could hinder the continent’s ability to produce a skilled workforce capable of competing globally in areas such as digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
