KUSU confirms university lecturers’ strike ongoing as talks with govt continue
By Paulette Mboga, October 30, 2025The Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) has confirmed that the ongoing lecturers’ strike across public universities is still on.
KUSU Secretary General Charles Mukhwaya said negotiations with key stakeholders are ongoing and urged both lecturers and students to remain patient as discussions continue.
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Mukhwaya, on Thursday, October 30, 2025, assured lecturers that the union is engaging with the government to find a lasting solution to the dispute that has paralysed learning in public universities for over a month.
“Kwa hivyo sisi tuko na hakika kwamba huu mgomo unaendelea lakini tunaendelea kuketi na washika dau wakubwa sana na haya mazungumzo tumeipeleka katika serikali. Tunaendelea kuongea nao na njia mwafaka inaanza kuonekana ikichipuka,” Mukhwaya said.
Talks show progress
The KUSU Secretary General further explained that the union’s leadership is optimistic about reaching an agreement soon, saying both sides have shown willingness to engage.
“Ikiwa tutaweza kuketi na kamati zetu kuu za chama ili tuwaelezee serikali yasema nini, na wao kama kamati watupatie njia… itatusaidia kupata njia mwafaka ya kuwezesha sisi kama wafanyikazi katika vyuo vikuu,” he added.
Mukhwaya noted that while the strike continues, there are positive signs that progress is being made through dialogue with the government. He called on all members to stay united and focused on the goal of improving working conditions for university staff.
The strike, which has now entered its 43rd day, has brought learning in public universities to a standstill. This comes as the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) dismissed claims by the Ministry of Education that learning had resumed in some institutions. UASU maintains that no classes are taking place nationwide, insisting that lecturers will not return to work until their demands are met.
The union is demanding the immediate payment of Ksh7.9 billion in salary arrears in one instalment and the full implementation of the 2019–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Meanwhile, students at the Technical University of Mombasa held protests over the ongoing stalemate, saying the strike has disrupted their studies and urging the government to meet the lecturers’ demands to restore normal learning.
As talks continue, KUSU maintains that the strike will only end once a concrete agreement is reached to ensure fair treatment and better pay for university lecturers and staff across the country.