The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has officially ended the nationwide lecturers’ strike, bringing relief to thousands of university students and staff after nearly seven weeks of paralysis in institutions of higher learning.
The industrial action, which began in September, had crippled learning and research activities across public universities. However, on Wednesday, November 5, UASU announced the suspension of the strike following a breakthrough in talks with the government.
According to the union, the government has committed to settling Ksh7.9 billion in unpaid salary arrears stemming from the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) a long-standing demand by university lecturers.
UASU officials described the decision as a “victory for dialogue,” noting that the union opted to resume work in good faith after assurances that the arrears would be cleared promptly.
The move brings to a close a 49-day standoff that had been characterized by tension, public exchanges, and blame games between the government and the union.
With classes set to resume, UASU urged the state to honour its pledge without further delay, emphasizing that continued collaboration and respect for signed agreements are vital to sustaining industrial harmony in Kenya’s higher education sector.
