The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) on Wednesday, November 5, officially called off the nationwide lecturers’ strike that has paralysed learning in universities since September.
The breakthrough followed the government’s commitment to pay the outstanding Ksh7.9 billion in salary arrears owed under the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga announced that the union had agreed with the government on a two-phase disbursement plan.
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The first payment will be made between November and December this year, while the final tranche is scheduled for July 2026.
The agreement was formalised during a meeting attended by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and UASU officials at Jogoo House on Tuesday, November 4.
“I want to apologise to the comrades for the 42 plus days they have lost. However, our members have committed that they are going to recover the lost time fully,” Wasonga said during a press briefing.
He assured students that lecturers are prepared to extend the semester to compensate for the disruption and urged the government to honour the agreement to prevent further industrial unrest.
“It is upon the government that you honour what we have signed here today… If you honour what we have signed, I commit there shall be no strike by UASU up to 2030,” he stated. However, he cautioned that failure to fulfil the deal would trigger a fresh strike as early as next week.
The resolution brings to an end the 49-day stalemate, which had been marked by heated exchanges between the union and government representatives.
The agreement also opens the door for negotiations on the 2025-2029 CBA, expected to be concluded within 30 days under the return-to-work formula.
The settlement came barely a day after UASU signalled readiness to reconsider its stance during a session with the National Assembly Committee on Education, where Wasonga acknowledged the plight of students as a key factor in the union’s decision.
The resumption of learning is expected to take effect immediately across public universities, bringing relief to thousands of students affected by the academic disruption.