Eldoret:Lecturers at the University of Eldoret and Moi University have joined a nationwide strike by public university academic staff, demanding the implementation of the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and payment of their salaries through the Exchequer.
According to Kenya News Agency, the two Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) chapters have declared that they will remain on strike until the government addresses their concerns. These include the conclusion and implementation of the 2025-2029 CBA, which has remained unresolved despite previous agreements.
At the University of Eldoret, UASU branch secretary Robinson Kibet expressed opposition to proposals requiring universities to rely on student fees to pay lecturers’ salaries. He argued that academic staff in public universities are government employees whose salaries should be funded through the Exchequer. Kibet noted that a return-to-work formula expected to be finalized in February 2025 had not been implemented and emphasized the need for lecturers to be treated like other public servants.
UASU officials also raised concerns over local disparities in allowances and other employment benefits. Dr. Nyaberi Mogaka, representing the union’s national leadership, highlighted unresolved local issues at the University of Eldoret since 2013, including disparities in commuter allowances.
The union called for the government to fully fund public university education and ensure that lecturers’ salaries are paid from the national Exchequer. UASU treasurer Catherine Elima stated that lecturers would not return to class until the CBA was signed and implemented, expressing concern about the increasing reliance on student fees.
Meanwhile, at Moi University, UASU chapter officials also joined the strike in solidarity. Chapter chair Prof. David Koskei criticized the government’s failure to conclude negotiations after an agreement had been reached, urging for salaries to be paid from the Exchequer. He stressed the need for urgent intervention to prevent prolonged learning disruptions.
Moi University UASU officials raised concerns over a proposed three percent salary increase, arguing it did not adequately address inflation or provide annual increments. Chapter treasurer and national trustee Jane Michael stated that the union rejected the proposal as inadequate and would continue the strike until acceptable terms were offered.
Additionally, the Moi University chapter highlighted unresolved financial obligations related to the 2017-2021 CBA, calling for the government to address both local and national issues. Lecturers at both institutions emphasized that the strike was aimed at securing fair and sustainable employment terms, not targeting students.
The union officials urged the government to resume negotiations and address outstanding issues, asserting that a negotiated agreement and its implementation would enable lecturers to return to teaching. The strike has disrupted learning in public universities as academic staff maintain pressure on the government to resolve the CBA dispute.
