University lecturers have called off their 42-day strike after reaching an agreement with the government on the payment of Ksh 7.9 billion in arrears. The funds will be disbursed in two phases, with Ksh 3.85 billion to be paid this year and the remaining half next year.
The breakthrough was announced Wednesday afternoon following nearly five hours of closed-door deliberations between Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba, officials from the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU).
The CS, who was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, presided over the signing of the Return-to-Work Formula between public universities and staff unions, marking the formal end of the nationwide industrial action.
“The signing ceremony, held at the Ministry’s Jogoo House B offices, brings to an end the industrial action called by UASU, KUSU, and KUDHEIHA. Universities will now resume normal operations, with measures in place to help students recover lost academic time,” said CS Ogamba.
Echoing the optimism, PS Inyangala remarked: “White smoke at last! Kenya’s lecturers’ strike ends — classrooms to reopen, and hopes restored for thousands of students.”
UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga and his KUSU counterpart Charles Mukwaya urged members to resume duties immediately, thanking Deputy President Kithure Kindiki for his intervention, which helped resolve the impasse between the unions and the Ministry of Education.
Also present during the talks was the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Prof. Julius Bitok, who commended both parties for embracing dialogue and prioritizing the interests of learners.
